Chapter Text
May 23,19XX
370 calories,
8 grams of protein.
1,520 mg of sodium.
On top of that, 3 meals a day non-stop and it being equivalent to over 20 years? I may have gotten a low grade in math but even I know that’s some dedication. This was the life of the ICPO agent Koichi Zenigata. A man of supreme intelligence and dedication. Here he was in a broken motel at 2 am after another failed attempt to capture Lupin III.The stove squealed in delight as Zenigata walked over to turn it off. The water’s bubbling,a perfect step in this otherwise mediocre routine.
“Alright. the water is steaming so all I have to do is open this baby up…and there!” He added the water inside the ramen cup.
Although it was just a ramen cup, it was a treasure in Koichi’s eyes. The meal brought him comfort in his relentless pursuit to capture Lupin III. Through wins and losses (mainly losses), Zenigata and his ramen were attached at the hip. He loved the taste of it. How he bought different spices to create something new and unique to his palette. (Despite affording too). The texture,the broth and most importantly, the time he took with himself. Sure the meal was redundant but it brought peace after 24 hours without-
*RINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG*
….
*RINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG*
Are you kidding-
*RINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNG*
What! WHAT?! What is it now-
Inspector Zenigata!
What is it this time?
We are in pursuit of Lupin III at this time! He is currently in the plaza!
What?! Lupin! I’m on my way. Go after him!
Zenigata got up and got his items ready. His gun,his beige-coat on the couch. God, and just as he got all set and done,that damn alarm rang.“ Sorry Ramen, guess I can’t talk right now….BUT LUPIN’S running about! ”
Easy to say, Zenigata ran out to the car and drove like a madman.
———————————————————————————————
3 gems,14 Million dollars for all of them. Cold to the touch but dazzling in its view. The perpetrators? None other than Lupin III and his confidant and right hand man, Daisuke Jigen.
Jigen smoked a cigarette as they sped down the sidewalk,away from the multiple cop cars that chased after them.
“We’re rich! 14 million dollars all in this little pouch. Had we been a bit faster we could have gotten everything from that section” Lupin said, holding a velvet pouch in his hand.
“We had to stick to the plan, Lupin. The man said 14 million dollars for them. I am not getting caught because you’re so greedy” Jigen retorted.
“Aw you’re no fun Jigen. Risk a little man!” Lupin shot back.
“Lupin!!!”
“Oh hey it's Pops!” " Hey Pops how’s it going”
“Don’t be cocky. Stop so I can finally arrest you, you thieving bastard!” Zenigata shouted back.
“Hey Lupin. Call me crazy but Zenigata doesn't look a little off. More….unhealthy and fragile?” He asked.
“What? No way. He looks fine to me!” Lupin waved a dismissive hand.
But Jigen saw it. The dark eyes,thin body and ragging breath on their beloved inspector worried Jigen.
The chase continued. Heavy breathing, legs burning as they took another corner down the 5th, nothing but glee and the thrill of being chased down. It’s like getting caught with your hand stuck in the cookie jar but much better pay.
Zenigata sped up,his lungs burning as he screamed out a “LUPINNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!”. Lupin snickered before running a bit faster to the get away car, his lucky yellow fiat. But the man wasn’t down just yet! He was gonna catch that damn thief.
“I have to keep moving. I won’t let that womanizing thief get away from my grasp! Oh no. Not for the millionth time I wont!” the inspector thought to himself.
LUPIN GET BACK HERE!
A blur passed through his vision. What? No. No. No! Zenigata didn’t get blurs in his vision,he had grit! He needed to keep going and catch that criminal!
As he ran further down the street, he had more blurred vision until he had to stop. He hunched over,his hands placed on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. Something was wrong, really wrong here and he didn’t know what.
“Aww is dear old pops tired? Does he want to lay down for a bit and take a nap?” It felt like a taunt, a cruel joke on the inspector.
“Like hell! *Pant* Just you wait I’ll!” He fell on one knee. His vision swam as he tried to move.
“Lupin. He doesn’t look okay. Don’t you see-” Jigen pointed out to the struggling man
“You need a cane to walk, old man?” Lupin further teased.
“Lupin, you're going too far! Can’t you see we need to help him?!” Jigen snapped. This wasn’t funny. Sure they were criminals but they weren’t monsters.
“What if he is just doing it for show?” Lupin reasoned. “To get us to help him to then grab us at our most vulnerable moment”
“Lupin-”
“Lets GO Jigen” Lupin said, tone serious. “If we help, then we stole this for nothing. Look, I know you like pops as much as the next person but we need to keep on moving. Or else there goes our money and our asses are in jail.”
Jigen's eyes widened. Sure,he had a point but why so cruel? Jigen nodded reluctantly and they ran off again.
“Pops doesn’t look too hot. He’s sweating and panting…He might collapse at this point. Please don’t collapse.” He thought as he picked up the pace.
Zenigata kept on moving but no longer speaking to his radio. He put all of his energy in his legs as he chased them another block. 13 blocks were already run. He felt the burn, his calves locking on block #9,the short pause on block #12. Cop cars lingered in the background as they couldn’t out match his dedication.
“Aww is the old man slowing down? Are you finally going to nap now?”
“Inspector! What is your location? Are you near us?”
“Lupin! The car is up ahead, let's move!”
“Inspector, please answer your radio!” Yata pleaded.
“Okay!” Lupin smirked and kept moving.
“Inspector?”
*THUD*
Lupin and Jigen turned their heads to see what the noise was all about. On the ground,the inspector laid face down on the sidewalk, Eyes closed barely breathing as he succumbed to extreme exhaustion and malnutrition.
“Pops!” Lupin screamed out, finally realizing that this was no joke. He tried to rush in and see if he was okay,only to be held back. “Let’s go Lupin!” Jigen said, his tone firm as he dragged Lupin to the car.
“But- But” Lupin stammered as Jigen put him in the driver seat. Jigen went over the hood and jumped inside.
“Hey! What’s wrong with you Jigen?! Can’t you see that-” Jigen hit the gas and they sped off again,cutting off the conversation short. The patrol car sped up as they saw their fallen inspector on the floor.
“Inspector Zenigata!” Yata slammed the door as he rushed over to Zenigata,worried all over his face as he placed his boss in his arms.
“Inspector? Inspector!” Yata patted his cheeks. No movement. He checked for a pulse. Very faint but still there.
“Get an Ambulance! He’s not responsive!”