Chapter 356: Can’t Find a Girlfriend, a Boyfriend Will Do

The underground prison had few human workers. The job required enduring intense psychological pressure that regular guards couldn’t handle.

The government used many robots here instead, machines that could resist the mental pressure radiating from imprisoned monsters.

Kanzaki Rin handed her interrogation request to the guard robot.

A group of armed individuals from Mechanical City had recently sneaked into Tokyo. The Countermeasures Department believed they wanted to rescue Nozawa Ritsu – a dangerous criminal locked deep underground.

As her position allowed access, Kanzaki Rin had applied to question him. Approval came today.

The robot scanned her documents and opened the thick metal door. Winter’s bite spilled out.

Cold filled the underground prison deliberately, air conditioners humming nonstop. The chill kept monsters sluggish – some even hibernated when temperatures dropped.

Guided by robots, Kanzaki Rin passed security gates until reaching cell blocks.

Dim lights revealed dark cells. The moment living footsteps echoed, malicious gazes appeared alongside weird howls and curses.

Long-term imprisonment drove these criminals madder than asylum patients. Yet the government kept them – human experiments needed test subjects.

Ignoring hateful stares, Kanzaki Rin walked deeper.

Outer cells held minor threats. Further in lurked government-captured monsters.

Pressure mounted like diving into deep seas, squeezing her body and head.

She stopped before a cell. Through alloy bars lay a figure on a bunk.

“Get up, Nozawa Ritsu!”

No interrogation room existed here. Surveillance cameras watched everywhere, even her escort robot observing.

The figure didn’t stir.

“Your sister’s gathering people to save you. Want them to throw themselves into the fire? I can warn them off.”

Still no reaction.

Kanzaki Rin slammed the door. “Dreaming of escape? They’ll just join you here!”

In the monitoring room, staff chuckled.

“The Countermeasures Department’s rising star? How naive.”

“Does she think threats work on Nozawa Ritsu?”

Once an elite Countermeasures agent, Nozawa had earned honors and body modifications before slaughtering colleagues and researchers. His death sentence became life imprisonment underground.

When Nozawa stayed motionless, Kanzaki Rin left with final warnings, robot trailing behind.

Cameras eventually stopped focusing on the cell.

Only then did the figure on the bed stir.

He slowly climbed out of bed, his burly frame towering over two meters tall. His bare upper body and bald head contrasted with metallic arms that had been transformed into mechanical prosthetics. The man’s angular face bore several scars, making him appear around thirty-five.

Walking to the cell door, he pressed his palms against the metal surface and peeled off a clay-like substance stuck behind the bars. Kanzaki Rin’s forceful slap earlier had discreetly planted this material on the alloy bars, evading both surveillance cameras and patrol robots.

Nozawa Ritsu returned to his bunk, lying down with his back to the door as he unfolded the clay-like material in his hand. The substance completely blocked metal detection systems. Tearing it open revealed a key engraved with the number 24. Nozawa stared at the key, his eyes glowing with faint ghostly light.

…

Fang Cheng waited beneath his blanket all night for Asaka Akihime’s promised nighttime visit, only closing his eyes at dawn. The self-proclaimed “Tokyo Pigeon Slayer” never imagined being stood up himself.

Come morning, Asaka Akihime appeared sheepish, stealing a quick kiss in the empty washroom. Breaking through emotional barriers clearly made her bolder. Fang Cheng suspected Ye Yuqing’s meddling behind this change, but felt no urgency – he’d eventually stuff that brat’s mouth with bananas.

Sato Hayato efficiently packed his luggage after breakfast, preparing to move out. Sato Mai gripped her brother’s hands, urging: “Find a girlfriend soon.” Once her brother settled down, she could freely pursue Cheng-brother without fox spirits interfering.

“I wish I could,” Hayato sighed.

“Then get a boyfriend!” Mai chirped.

Too tired to argue, Hayato knew the group would misinterpret his departure as sexual orientation confirmation. His real motivation stemmed from self-awareness – most girls here shared connections with their frequently-absent leader. Though unspoken, avoiding impropriety mattered more than Kanzaki Rin’s mission.

Kujou Arata arrived without his usual skittishness, solemnly telling Fang Cheng: “I’ll care for Hayako.”

Fang Cheng nearly laughed at this victor’s proclamation. Patting Arata’s shoulder, he said: “Ensure Hayako’s daily happiness.”

“Absolutely!” Arata vowed.

Turning to Hayato, Fang Cheng advised: “Balance toughness and tenderness for harmonious life with your boyfriend.”

Sato Hayako: “……”