The cold embrace of the ocean swallowed him whole.
The man drifted downward, his body growing heavier as the water pressed against him. Bubbles escaped from his lips, rising toward the distant light above. His vision blurred as fragmented memories surfaced—brief flashes of his life, his time on the police force, the moments leading up to his fall.
Just as darkness threatened to take him, he saw a figure cutting through the water, moving toward him with steady strokes. His consciousness faded before he could make sense of it.
Sudden Awakening
A sharp gasp.
The man's eyes snapped open as he coughed up seawater, his lungs burning. He lay stretched out on the damp pavement beside a warehouse, the rough texture of the sidewalk pressing into his back. His drenched clothes clung to his skin, the night air chilling him further.
Man, looking worried, crouched by his side, said. "Thank God you're awake, Ryo."
A familiar voice. He blinked, forcing his vision to focus on the man leaning next to him—Kaji, his partner. His expression was a mix of relief and mild frustration.
"Kaji… what happened?" Ryo rasped, his throat raw.
Kaji let out a sigh, said. "Our suspect landed a roundhouse kick to your face, and you went straight into the ocean. Sank like a rock."
Ryo sat up slowly, rubbing his temples, and groaned. "Great, another mission, another embarrassing failure. The chief's gonna love this."
Kaji gave him a pat on the back, said. "You're not cut out for high-speed chases or hand-to-hand combat, but at least your brain works better than your reflexes."
Name: Ryo Kuroda
Age: 25
Occupation: Police Officer
Strengths: Sharp deduction skills
Weaknesses: Everything else (unfortunately)
Ryo Kuroda wasn't the kind of cop who burst through doors or threw punches in back alleys. No, he was the kind who tripped over his own feet during a chase but somehow still figured out exactly where the suspect was going.
As he sat there, soaked and exhausted, he already knew—this was just the beginning of another long day.
Now at the Police Station…
The tense atmosphere in the chief's office was almost suffocating. Officers not involved exited quickly—some not wanting to listen, others lingering to eavesdrop outside the door. Inside the office, the Chief stood in front of Ryo, veins practically bulging from his forehead, his expression filled with anger.
The chief's booming voice echoed through the room.
"OFFICER KURODA! DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!"
Ryo, standing stiffly, forced an awkward laugh. "Ah… hahaha… I kinda slipped."
"YOU MORON!!!" The chief's roar shook the walls. "THE SUSPECT WAS ALREADY IN YOUR GRASP, AND YOU LET HIM GO! NOT TO MENTION GETTING KICKED IN THE FACE! DID YOU LEARN NOTHING IN THE POLICE ACADEMY?!"
Ryo rubbed the back of his neck, looking nervous, said. "Yeah… I did. But, you know… mistakes happen."
"FIFTY TIMES, KURODA!" The chief slammed his fist onto the desk. "FIFTY TIMES YOU'VE SCREWED UP! YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE TO COVER FOR YOU AND CATCH THE CRIMINALS THEMSELVES! YOU'RE LUCKY THE SUSPECT WAS CAUGHT RIGHT AFTER YOU GOT SENT FLYING INTO THE OCEAN! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO HE WAS?!"
Ryo looked down, avoiding eye contact. His not-so-bright smile twitched slightly.
"…Uh," he mumbled.
The chief's glare intensified.
"HE'S BEEN BLOWING UP BUILDINGS LEFT AND RIGHT! AND YOU JUST LET HIM ROUNDHOUSE KICK YOU INTO THE SEA?!" he shouted—so loudly that his assistant fainted on the spot.
Silence filled the room. Ryo stood there, unable to offer a good excuse.
His partner, Kaji, sighed from the sidelines.
The chief let out a long, slow breath, his previous rage settling into something colder—something final. The tension in the room didn't ease. If anything, it grew heavier.
He straightened his posture, his gaze locked onto Ryo. "Kuroda… give me your badge," he said calmly—though the tone carried a weight that didn't feel right.
Ryo looked up at the chief, stunned. "Huh? …Why?"
The chief's voice, though steady, carried the weight of authority. Then, in a tone so loud it shook the entire station, he declared…
"AS OF THIS MOMENT, YOU ARE DISMISSED! YOU'RE WEAK! YOU'RE FIRED!!!"
A wave of silence crashed over the room. Papers rustled in the lingering echo of the chief's words.
Ryo stood motionless, his expression blank. Slowly, the color drained from his face, his body unresponsive as if his mind had shut down entirely.
From the sidelines, Kaji watched in silence, muttered. "I feel sorry for you, partner."
The chief scoffed, his patience long gone. "Hmph! Someone get this fool out of my office." He waved Ryo away dismissively, as if shooing a dog.
Kaji stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Ryo's shoulder. "I'll take him," he said to the chief.
Without another word, he pulled Ryo's arm over him and guided him toward the door.
As they stepped out, Ryo's legs moved, but his mind remained frozen. The weight of his dismissal pressed down on him, heavier than any mission he had ever failed.
As Kaji escorted Ryo out of the chief's office, the atmosphere in the station's hallway was mixed. Some officers looked at Ryo with pity, their gazes sympathetic as they watched their former colleague stumble forward, lost in his own mind. Others, less kind, exchanged quiet chuckles and whispers, shaking their heads at yet another one of his failures.
Ryo barely noticed.
His mind was blank, his body moving on autopilot as he let Kaji lead him down the hall.
After a few moments of silence, Kaji sighed. "Partner… how about some coffee? My treat." He spoke calmly and kindly.
Ryo, still looking out of it, barely managed a response. "S...s...sure..."
Kaji nodded, guiding Ryo outside toward his convertible car. He opened the passenger door, helping his partner into the seat before settling into the driver's side.
Without another word, the engine hummed to life, and they drove off toward a nearby café.
Finally arriving at the café...
Ryo and Kaji sat at an outdoor table, their drinks in front of them. The quiet hum of the city filled the space between them.
Kaji, his usual confident expression dimmed by concern, offered a small, uneasy smile.
"You okay, partner?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Ryo stared at his coffee for a moment before letting out a sigh. "I really screwed up big time."
Kaji hesitated before speaking. "Buddy, I… unfortunately, I have to take your badge. You were so out of it back in the chief's office that you didn't even hand it over. Chief told me to do it instead… though it pains me."
Ryo didn't protest. "It's okay…"
He reached into his pocket and handed over his badge. Kaji took it reluctantly, setting it down beside his drink before changing the subject.
"Ryo, why didn't you switch to the investigative team back then? You know deduction is your strong point."
Ryo leaned back in his chair, eyes distant. "Because I like being out on the field. I want to be part of the action."
Kaji sighed. "I've heard that a lot already, man."
Ryo let out a small chuckle. "You know... I've always been inspired by those heroes on TV. Some of them don't even have superpowers but still manage to take down criminals with their own strength."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Come on, those are actors in movies. You realize they have to yell 'cut' every time something risky happens, right? And they have stunt doubles doing the hard work."
Ryo fell silent.
Kaji smirked and continued. "You know, back at the police academy, you barely passed. The only reason you got into the force was because of your deduction skills. That's why we were able to catch so many criminals. The chief gave you chance after chance because of that. But I guess after seeing you getting knocked down fifty times, he finally hit his limit."
Ryo tilted his head back, looking at the sky.
"Well… I don't know. There's just something in me that screams 'GET HIM!' My body moves on its own. I can't just sit still while the rest of you do all the action."
Kaji chuckled, shaking his head. "You really do have a strong sense of justice."
Ryo glanced at him. "That so?"
Kaji smirked. "Yeah, but in the end, you still end up getting beaten down every mission."
Ryo groaned. "Ugh…"
Kaji laughed, taking a sip of his coffee.
Even after everything, Ryo was still Ryo.
Ryo stared into his coffee, his fingers idly tracing the rim of the cup. His expression was lost, his thoughts spiraling.
"I really don't know what to do now," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've dedicated my whole life to becoming a cop. I made it… but now, everything came crashing down, and I got my butt kicked out of the force."
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Should I go for a mundane job now? Like a convenience store clerk? A construction worker?" He exhaled, his shoulders slumping. "I don't know…"
Kaji, who had been quietly listening, suddenly had an idea. His eyes lit up as he leaned forward.
"Ryo, why not take advantage of your strong point?"
Ryo blinked, turning to him. "You mean my deduction skills? But how?"
Kaji smirked. "Why not become a detective? Not a police detective, but a private detective..."
Ryo raised an eyebrow, offering a small smile. "Heh… I'm not sure, man."
Kaji shrugged. "Well, you did mention you like action-packed stuff. Just hit the gym and learn some martial arts, bro."
Ryo narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I should become a private detective who can fight?"
Kaji chuckled. "I mean, a detective should at least know some self-defense. You know… unlike you, who failed that part back in your police days."
Ryo groaned. "Ugh…"
After a moment, he eyed Kaji with curiosity. "But why are you suggesting this to me?" Ryo asked.
Kaji leaned back, sipping his coffee, and said.
"Because the police don't always have time to handle cases that detectives can take on. You've seen how it is—we get swamped with high-priority missions while everything else piles up."
Ryo nodded slowly. "Yeah… the most serious cases always get prioritized, while the smaller ones just sit in the queue for weeks. Sometimes months."
Kaji smiled. "That's exactly why. You could take on a few of those cases—the ones that get pushed to the back. Some of them might even involve a bit of action."
Ryo tapped his fingers on the table, his lips curling into a smile.
"Heh… sounds interesting. Guess I'll think about it," he said, closing his eyes.
The two continued to relax, sipping their coffee in comfortable silence.
Kaji, casually scrolling through his phone, suddenly froze. His eyes widened in shock before he practically jumped out of his chair.
"HOLYYYYYY!!!!" he shouted, as if he had seen the most shocking thing of his life.
His voice boomed, turning heads from nearly every other customer around them.
Ryo, mid-sip, choked on his coffee, sputtering and coughing as he glared at Kaji.
"Hey! Shush!! Keep it down!" he wheezed, still recovering from the cough.
But Kaji was too frantic to care. "But—but—!!"
"Huh?" Ryo wiped his mouth, now slightly annoyed.
Kaji quickly shoved his phone in Ryo's face. "Look! It's been caught!"
Ryo squinted at the screen. On it was a breaking news article—a bold headline in capital letters…
'REAL-LIFE YETI CAPTURED IN THE HIMALAYAS! 10 FEET TALL MONSTER CONFIRMED!'
Ryo leaned back unimpressed. "Dude… are you sure this isn't a hoax? It's probably just some guy in a yeti suit. People have debunked these before, you know."
But Kaji grinned. "Oh, I'll show you proof. Watch this."
He tapped on a video.
The footage showed a massive, white-furred creature locked in a steel cage, surrounded by reporters and scientists. It let out a deep, guttural growl, its sheer size making the reporters hesitate.
Then— BAM!
The yeti's fist slammed against the cage bars. The entire structure shook, a deep dent forming where its knuckles hit. The reporters screamed, backing away in panic.
A team of security personnel rushed forward, rifles raised— then fired a tranquilizer dart straight into its neck.
The yeti staggered, letting out a final growl before collapsing.
The video ended.
Ryo blinked. "Wow… I guess it is real," he said, a little shocked but impressed at the same time.
Kaji, practically shining with excitement, clenched his fists.
"RIGHT?! I never thought I'd see the day where a mythical creature is caught and revealed to the world with no nonsense!! This old-age mystery is finally SOLVED!"
Ryo smirked. "Oh yeah, you've always been into this sort of thing. You used to pester me about it all the time to the point where it got suuuper annoying."
Kaji nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! Myths, legends, aliens, ghosts, otherworldly creatures—the list goes on!" He grinned. "Want to hear more about it?" he asked, like that one friend who just can't stop talking about this stuff.
Ryo sighed dramatically. "Hell no! I've had enough of your nerdy ramblings."
As Ryo continued to complain, Kaji simply smiled in anticipation of something.
Then, with a smug smirk, Ryo spoke again, pointing at Kaji. "As of today, you shall be known as… 'Fantasy-chan!'" he declared proudly.
Kaji clapped his hands, mockingly delighted. "Woooohoooo that's the Ryo I know! The man with the worst naming sense ever!"
Ryo frowned. "Really?"
Kaji grinned. "Yeah. At first, your names were cringey, but lately, they've become my favorite form of entertainment." He leaned back. "But Fantasy-chan? Now that's a fitting nickname for me!"
Ryo sighed. "You're actually embracing it…?"
Kaji laughed, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah, remember when you used to call the chief 'Futsal' behind his back?"
Ryo chuckled. "Yeah. His hair looks like a football pitch, so I named him Futsal."
Kaji burst into laughter. "HAHAHAHAHAHA and then he found out, and we both got in trouble! Even though it was your fault, I still got dragged into the scolding!" he said, like that time an innocent student gets caught by the teacher for being near a troublemaker.
Ryo grinned mischievously. "Heh, well, you were with me. You got pulled into my mess."
The topic shifted…
Kaji stretched. "But seriously… this yeti thing. That's one hell of a mystery solved."
Then, he smirked, looking at Ryo with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Hehe… if you're a private detective, maybe you'll start getting cases like this."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Kaji leaned forward dramatically. "You know, cases like finding aliens, solving the mysteries of Atlantis, getting clients from another world… you know, supernatural detective stuff. Hahaha!" he said, exaggerating as if he had no idea what Ryo might actually end up facing.
Ryo sighed, rubbing his temples."Are you seriously suggesting all that unrealistic nonsense?"
Kaji shrugged. "Or… maybe you'll even have your own arch-nemesis—like Moriarty or Jack the Ripper," he said. Please, Kaji, don't tempt fate like that.
Then, a lightbulb flickered in Kaji's head. His grin widened. "Oh yeah, I'm giving you a nickname too."
Ryo crossed his arms with a grin. "Go on. I'm ready for a terrible name," he said, as if bracing for impact.
Kaji smirked, dramatically pointing at Ryo. "Sherlock."
Ryo's eyes widened slightly. "Huh?"
Kaji leaned back and said. "Your deduction skills are top-tier—basically, you're like Sherlock Holmes."
Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Huh… I guess that does sound like me," he admitted with a small shrug.
He let out a relieved sigh and said. "Thank God it's not as cringey as my own naming skills."
After hours of rambling and pointless debates, the sun had dipped lower, casting a golden hue over the city.
Ryo and Kaji stretched as they prepared to leave.
Kaji turned to Ryo, his expression a mix of concern and reassurance.
"Hey, Ryo… I know things are about to be a little tough for you now that you're out of the job, but if you ever need help with anything…"
He suddenly bumped his chest with his fist, standing tall with a ridiculous grin.
"…FANTASY-CHAN IS HERE TO HELP YOU!" he declared with over-the-top pride.
Ryo smirked. "Okay, thanks. I guess you really did fall in love with that cringey name." He waved as he walked off. "See ya, Fantasy-chan."
Kaji laughed, waving back. "Yeah, see ya, Sherlock!"
And with that, the two went their separate ways.
As Ryo walked home to his small apartment, the night air was cool, and the neighborhood lights flickered around him. His mind wandered back to Kaji's suggestion.
"A private detective, huh…?" he muttered under his breath, still thinking it over.
It was an idea that hadn't left his mind since the café. He had spent his life working toward becoming a police officer, and now that it was over, he had no clue what was next.
Then— something caught his eye.
A small storage space, built from cement and painted white, stood at the side of the street. It was rectangular, slightly larger than a regular apartment room, with a 'FOR SALE' sign plastered on its door.
Curious, Ryo walked up to check the price. "...This is cheap."
He glanced inside through a dusty window. The space was empty but manageable. Big enough to work with—just enough for one guy to live and work in.
Then, suddenly—an idea struck him.
His eyes widened, a spark of enthusiasm flashing in his gaze.
"This… this could be my private detective office," he said, smiling with excitement.
Ryo had some funds saved up—money that had barely been touched because of his simple, uneventful life.
A few days later, he met with the owner and purchased the place.
From that day on, Ryo threw himself into fixing up the space.
The old, dusty storage room was remodeled into a minimalistic office. He moved in his furniture, bed, cupboards, and even installed a small bathroom to make the space livable. He also bought extra furniture for the main office room to receive and communicate with clients.
It took a full month of work.
But now—standing outside, with his hands on his hips, staring at the finished product—Ryo couldn't help but smile.
"Finally… it's completed."
Ryo stood in front of his newly renovated office, a sense of accomplishment settling in.
"From this day on… this is my office and my new home!" He said proudly.
As he absorbed the moment, a car engine hummed from the side. He turned to see Kaji pulling up.
Kaji stepped out, looking up at the small yet clean-looking office.
"Well, didn't think you'd actually go with my suggestion and open this up."
Ryo smirked and nodded toward the parking lot beside the office.
"Park your car there. Come on in."
Kaji did as told and followed Ryo inside.
The interior was minimalistic—neat, simple, and practical. Nothing excessive, just a desk, a couch, a coffee table, and a few cabinets.
Kaji looked around with a grin. "The design's pretty simple… I guess it reflects your boring and uneventful life."
Ryo crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"Hmph! My boring life did wonders for my money-saving skills. Besides, it's better to save money when you're as boring as I am," he said. Relatable, isn't it?
Kaji chuckled and took a seat on the couch as Ryo served him tea.
Ryo then grabbed a chair and sat across from Kaji.
After taking a sip, Kaji leaned back and asked, "So, partner, got a name for your business?"
Ryo blinked in realization. "Oh yeah… I need to register a name for my detective business." He rubbed his chin, looking up thoughtfully.
Kaji's eyes lit up, and he immediately leaned forward with enthusiasm.
"How about 'The Cosmic Investigation'?"
Ryo cringed instantly. "Oi, don't add your nerdy touch to my business, Fantasy-chan," he said, looking unimpressed.
Kaji pumped his fists. "COME ON, NOW, IT SOUNDS COOL!" he said, as if Ryo was missing out on the best business name ever.
Ryo ignored him, rubbing his chin in thought. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened as an idea struck him.
"You know what… since you're the reason I decided to become a detective, I'll add a tiny bit of your cringey fantasy touch to the name."
Kaji's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Well, go on! Tell me the name you came up with!"
Ryo grinned, letting the suspense build for a moment before finally announcing—
"Odyssey Investigations," he said. Which, fun fact, was almost the title of this novel… but I changed my mind.
For a brief second, silence filled the air.
Then Kaji sighed dramatically, looking unimpressed. "Is that it?"
Ryo frowned. "I mean... it sounds cool, right?"
Kaji shook his head."Nah, mine was cooler."
Ryo groaned. "Oh, shut up, you nerd!"
Kaji chuckled. "But does it have a meaning?" he wondered.
Ryo leaned back, arms folded. "I guess it's about uncovering legendary, often forgotten tales or secrets. It suits your cringey fantasy taste," he said—unfortunately, not realizing he was about to, you know...
Kaji took another sip of his tea, smirking. "I see… guess it's acceptable."
Kaji leaned back on the couch, sipping his tea with a nostalgic sigh.
"Man, it sure is boring without you in the force these days."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Why so?"
Kaji grinned mischievously. "Not only are your bad naming skills comedy gold, but watching you get beaten down by criminals was prime entertainment."
Ryo cracked his knuckles."Want me to kick you out, bastard?"
Kaji chuckled."Also, your legendary sarcastic jokes, man—those are the best!"
Ryo looked at him, utterly confused. "Huh? I never did that."
Kaji gave him a deadpan stare. "Are you serious, man? You don't even realize it yourself. Well, I guess you wouldn't notice it since it's just a part of you. Hahaha!"
Ryo sighed, slipping into yet another sarcastic remark without even realizing it.
"Oh great, thanks to you, I've got a partner whose sole purpose in life is to laugh at my misery. Really, living the dream here."
Kaji slammed the table, laughing. "SEE! Hahaha! That's it!! There we go!"
Ryo gave him a side-eye. "Oh really now?"
Kaji leaned forward, squinting at Ryo's arm.
"Dude, look at you! You grew some muscles! Ooh, trying to impress the ladies, huh?" he said. Why is he so good at foreshadowing Ryo's future... especially with the ladies?
Ryo scoffed. "I'm not flexing for anyone, you moron. What you told me last month made sense—I really do need to learn some self-defense. So, I set up a home gym and started learning martial arts through online videos."
A sly grin spread across Ryo's face. "In fact, I even got some weapons."
Kaji raised an eyebrow. "Eh? Really?"
Ryo walked over to a cupboard, opened it, and pulled out a box. Inside were a taser, a handgun, a pair of tonfas, and some flashbangs.
Kaji stared at the collection, then back at Ryo. "Umm… are you planning to fight crime or commit one?"
Ryo chuckled. "Relax, it's just insurance. After getting my butt handed to me by criminals so many times, I figured it wouldn't hurt to be prepared."
He picked up a handgun from the box. "And don't worry, I still have my gun license."
Kaji smirked, shaking his head. "Whatever you say, man."
Then, his eyes landed on something else—a gray trench coat hanging by Ryo's desk.
Kaji pointed at it, a slow grin forming. "Well, well, well… look at this. Trying to look the part, Sherlock?"
Before Ryo could respond, Kaji grabbed the coat. "Here, put it on," he said, tossing it at him.
Ryo sighed but slid his arms into the sleeves. The coat fit snugly, the weight of it settling on his shoulders like a new identity.
Kaji stepped back, crossing his arms. His teasing tone faded, replaced by something more genuine.
"You look cool, my friend," Kaji said with a warm smile.
Ryo adjusted the collar, looking down at himself. There was a quiet moment between them. It wasn't just a coat. It was a symbol—of moving forward, of owning this new path.
He exhaled, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I mean... why not, right?" Ryo said with a shrug.
Kaji chuckled, patting Ryo's shoulder. "Yeah… why not."
For once, there was no sarcasm, no jokes—just silent understanding. Kaji had always believed in Ryo, even when he couldn't believe in himself. And now, standing there in that coat, Ryo finally looked the part of the detective he was meant to be.
Kaji grinned. "But hey, don't lose your terrible naming skills and legendary jokes. They're part of the charm," he said. Honestly, just give Kaji the Best Character of the Year award for accidental foreshadowing.
Ryo rolled his eyes. "Fantasy-chan, you really know how to ruin a moment."
Kaji smirked. "Shut up, Sherlock."
As Kaji stretched his arms, he let out a sigh. "Well, gotta go on patrol now."
Ryo, remembering the boring old days, muttered. "Oh yeah… that boring duty."
Kaji chuckled, shaking his head. "Not all of us get to sit around waiting for mysterious cases to land on our doorstep, you know."
Before stepping through the door, Kaji paused and turned back. "So, got any incoming clients?"
Ryo exhaled, crossing his arms. "Nah, Odyssey Investigations officially opens for business in a week."
He glanced at his desk, deep in thought. "Though I doubt clients will just come rushing in. Should I promote my business on social media? Hmmm…"
Kaji smirked. "Well, I actually know a few people who might need a detective, though they'd probably be small jobs."
Ryo looked up, a small smile forming. "That's fine. You always gotta start small in the beginning, right?"
Kaji gave him a thumbs-up. "Alright, man. I'll spread the word and update you if anyone's interested."
With that, he stepped outside, heading to his car. As he pulled up in front of Ryo's office, he rolled down the window and waved.
"See ya, Sherlock."
Ryo, standing at the entrance of his office, smiled. "Alright, get going, Fantasy-chan. I'll see you soon," he said, waving back.
Kaji laughed before driving off, leaving Ryo at his new office, ready to take his first step into the unknown.