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Akutagawa stares at the corpses in front of him and scoffs. That’s exactly what the police gets when they thought they had the right to get in the way of his work. He answers his call.
“Akutagawa-kun, how is it?”
“I’ve completed the mission and also got rid of people who were in the way.”
Mori hums lightly before asking, “people?”
“Some police officers.”
Mori sighs. “Akutagawa-kun, we’ve been through this. It’s best not to draw too much attention where the government might be concerned.”
“Yes, Boss,” Akutagawa says tersely even if he doesn't understand the logic behind it. The policemen had witnessed him murdering his target; if word got back to the police headquarters, wouldn’t things be worse for the Mafia? It’d be easier to make sure there are no eyewitnesses left behind. Also, what can the government do to Port Mafia?
Mori hangs up and Akutagawa scoffs.
“Again, Akutagawa?”
The man looks up and clenches his teeth when he sees Atsushi standing there. Atsushi holds his gaze for a second longer before he looks at the bodies scattered on the floor. When he looks back into Akutagawa’s eyes, the Black Lizard member has to resist the urge to snarl and slam Atsushi into the wall. As it is, Rashoumon merely rattles against the ground restlessly. Atsushi seems to know what he’s thinking anyway.
“You promised that you wouldn’t kill the innocent,” Atsushi says.
“I promised that I would try,” Akutagawa shoots back.
“Well, did you?”
“Of course I did!”
“Then what’s all this?” Atsushi asks as he gestures around him. “What did these policemen do?”
“They had to be exterminated.”
“Yes, so what did they do?”
“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“That’s not a crime!”
“But they could have gotten the Mafia into trouble.”
“I’m sure that you could have simply warned them not to say anything. You and I both know the reputation that the Mafia and that even you personally have. No one would have said a thing.”
“You don’t know that.”
“There was a chance anyway, but you killed them before you could find out.”
“By that time, it would have been too late.”
“But they were innocent!”
Akutagawa remains resolutely silent as he stares at Atsushi. The detective lets out a harsh sigh and runs his fingers through his hair. He opens his mouth but no words come out. Eventually, he laughs and starts to shake his head.
“I can’t… I don’t think I can do this, Ryuu…”
“What do you mean?” Akutagawa asks even if he has a fairly good idea what Atsushi’s talking about. He shouldn't be surprised that it has come down to this; after all, he was the one who had told Atsushi that they wouldn't last, that they were too different.
“I’m sorry,” Atsushi says before walking away.
And all Akutagawa can think of is the disappointment that had shone in Atsushi’s eyes, the same disappointment that used to shine in that person’s eyes.