Chapter 8: The Trolley Problem

Cooperation is a very important feature in the P5 system. Marked by the Major Arcana tarot cards, it connects to the protagonist's adventure journey—part of it tied to the main story, part to optional side quests. As the protagonist grows closer to his cooperators, his related abilities also strengthen.

Though Kazawa had predicted that some key figures might be involved, the fact it triggered so quickly and effectively still surprised him.

But... the first skill learned was "Free Fighting"?

Kazawa wiped his face, threw aside the towel, and gave Amuro Tooru a strange look.

Is it because his contract direction is "Guardian," so the first lesson is to teach self-defense? But no matter how you think about it, Amuro Tooru's most memorable skill is driving, right?

After all, it's the kind of driving skill that would make Newton faint—climbing walls, running on rooftops.

Amuro Tooru chuckled at the red mark left by the towel on Kazawa's face, then pushed a plate toward him.

"Eat quickly. A kid who takes two or three bites then suddenly cries might make others think my food is terrible."

Kazawa, with red-rimmed eyes and a reddened nose from wiping, looked even more childish. Although he was already 18, it was hard not to still think of him as a kid.

Kazawa pouted, about to argue back, glanced at the pasta, then picked up his chopsticks again.

When you eat someone's cooking, you shouldn't talk back, at least not now. Besides, Amuro Tooru's food was pretty good.

Feeling Kazawa gradually relax, Amuro Tooru, unaware that he was being subtly manipulated, thought his strategy was working, and continued questioning:

"The boss told me to take in a juvenile offender, so I thought it would be a really tough delinquent. But you don't seem like someone who'd commit crimes at all. What really happened? Serious injury charges are no joke—was it an accident?"

This was a leading question, with a specific presupposition, subtly implying even if Kazawa was at fault, it wasn't a big crime, making it easier to gain trust.

Kazawa internally rated Amuro Tooru's interrogation skills, slightly tilting his eyes as he recalled and briefly described the entire case.

The case was ridiculous. The details were ridiculous. The outcome was even more ridiculous.

For one, the victim was drunk, so it wasn't even certain if Kazawa had caused the head injuries or if the victim had fallen on his own. Even if it was a fight, the immediate detention after the record was shocking to Kazawa for a whole year.

And holding him in the same cell as small-time thugs meant Kazawa was repeatedly beaten in custody.

The trial was even more intense. The victim didn't show up in court. Kazawa refused to plead guilty and was repeatedly warned and hinted that if he confessed now, he could get leniency, protective supervision, and return to school. If he refused, he'd be sent to juvenile reform school.

After two months of torment, Kazawa finally gave in and wrote a confession.

Kazawa spoke with pity for his original self, narrating calmly like an observer, finishing off a serving of pasta as he spoke.

Amuro Tooru was much more agitated. Hearing this, he clenched his fist.

"…That's illegal and improper! What about your parents? Didn't you report this to anyone else?"

Yes, that clenched fist was exactly the reaction Kazawa wanted. It was satisfying to see Amuro Tooru angry—he didn't want to be the only one outraged. He smiled, watching the clenched fist, and reminded him,

"My parents are abroad. As for others... juvenile court hearings are completely closed."

The implication was clear. Amuro Tooru understood.

When the verdict came out, the supposedly private case details were leaked. Kazawa had no evidence and had signed a confession. His reputation hit rock bottom, and no one would listen to him anymore.

Kazawa finished, took a sip of hot cocoa, and watched Amuro Tooru twitch at the corner of his eye. He thought his friend's almost fainting expression from frustration was pretty entertaining—good for snacking alongside.

Amuro Tooru was genuinely furious—not just for Kazawa's situation, but for the seriously negligent colleagues involved. But since he couldn't speak as Rei Furuya, he could only curse:

"Scum! What a bunch of useless, tax-eating parasites!"

Great, the louder the better! Kazawa played the instigator:

"Maybe that drunk uncle was some big shot, someone the police had to obey... I just can't find another reason."

Amuro Tooru got even angrier.

"That's even worse! The organization doesn't need to infiltrate the police—they only need to control a few high-level politicians, and the police become their violent personal security!"

Damn it. He had to report to Kazami and demand a full investigation!

Their lively conversation was suddenly caught in the eye of a sniper scope.

Hundreds of meters away on the rooftop edge, a long-haired man wearing a knit cap moved his eyes away from the scope.

He glanced at his vibrating phone's incoming call and tapped his earpiece to answer.

"Shu, how's the situation?"

"All is normal so far. 'Bourbon Whiskey' is making contact with the target."

"What about us? Do we need to engage?"

Akai Shuichi reattached his scope and focused on the boy smiling at Amuro Tooru through the sight.

"Not yet. We can't alert them." Akai Shuichi answered, "Kazawa couple have been missing for two months, probably dead. The organization used manpower and resources to take the target. They won't act now. For now, he is safe."

"What about the plan to arrest Gin?"

"Delay again. The Kazawa couple leaving the country has probably alerted Gin. He won't fall for it easily. The priority is Kazawa and the Miyano sisters' safety."

"The Miyano sisters' facility has extremely tight security. Cameron has no leads. Shu, we don't have much time. They won't endure much longer. At this rate, no one will be saved. Compared to the Miyano sisters, the target is easier to approach."

Akai Shuichi fell silent.

The other end said nothing either. Silence filled the call.

They both knew what this choice meant.

FBI's influence in Japan is limited; any organized action is constrained. Between the Miyano sisters and Kazawa, they could only pick one to rescue. Success or failure, the alerted organization would give no second chance.

Choosing one meant abandoning the other.

"Shu..." a sigh came from the earpiece. "We have no other way..."

She knew the Kazawa family and the Miyano family both meant a lot to Akai Shuichi.

The rail switch was in his hand; the speeding train was about to reach the crossing. He had to decide which way to flip the switch.

"Bring Cameron back." Akai Shuichi's hand holding the sniper rifle was steady, his tone unwavering, still calm as a sniper.

"I will find a chance to approach Kazawa. 'Ray' will carry out the organization's mission with a more legitimate reason."

"Can't we wait a little longer? Maybe..."

"Once the decision's made, no hesitations. Bring him back. We need to plan Kazawa's transfer."

"...Understood."

Click. The call ended.

Akai Shuichi stayed prone, pulled out his phone and pressed a button.

[Contact with Bourbon is going well; no suspicious individuals detected nearby.]

Seconds later, an email notification sounded.

[Maintain vigilance. If the target shows abnormal behavior, you are authorized to use tranquilizer darts.]

Clearing his inbox, he closed his eyes briefly, then looked again through the scope at Kazawa smiling at Amuro Tooru.

Faces flashed through his mind. His gun did not waver.

They had already lost the Kazawa couple.

There was no room left for hesitation.