He hardly heard a word from the inspector. Knowing him, he just thinks Megure is right. Childish, really ... both of them.

"... You have a lot of potential. You are not stupid and in good physical shape. You could easily get promoted if you were more careful and worked harder. If you ever get married and have a family, I don't see how she is supposed to survive! "

Ouch! That would probably do as much damage as a truck rammed into him. He probably thinks he's a no-good and doubts his abilities. He has a strong sense of responsibility. He got it from me. But does he really think that I pay attention to whether or not he has a career as a cop? I just want him to be successful for who he is.

He sighed and Megure gave him a hard pat on the hand. I winced.

"Are you listening, Takagi?" He yelled, shaking the glass on the door."Yes, Inspector," he said with bowed head.

Only from the look on his face can I tell that he thinks about it and doubts his abilities. Sure, constantly comparing himself to Shiratori doesn't help him either. I looked at him sadly. It just needs to be made clear to the poor that we believe in them. And all of Megure's screaming and screaming doesn't help him either.

"If things continue like this, you'd better start looking for a new job," said our manager harshly. He turned to me. "Sato, I hope you will keep an eye on him now."

"Yes, inspector," I replied and took a step to the side so that he could go to the door.

The door slammed, and Takagi sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands. "I'm useless, am I not, Sato?"

I knelt down and patted him gently on the shoulder. "No, you are not. You just have too little faith in yourself! Get up! Get up!"Do not be afraid! Life is not easy and that's why we have to work hard, right? "I smiled.

"No, I'm useless," he repeated. "Whenever we're working on a case, do most of the work or we can get help from Conan and the Detective Boys. Without your help, I would probably have been fired long ago."

"Don't say that!" I said louder than I wanted to. "You ..." I tried to name a few cases where he was the hero, but I couldn't think of any.

"Inspector Megure is right," he said in a dejected tone. "I couldn't take care of a family ... I couldn't give them anything. They would starve! I know that. The other people don't need to tell me."

"But ..." I tried to contradict him.

"It's okay, Sato.", He said, got up and undid his tie. "Tomorrow morning I will quit here and then ask Mr Mouri if he can give me a job.

"Don't go!" I said. My usual serious expression did not tell that I was worried.'You did a great job, Inspector. ', I thought. I've already lost Matsuda as a partner, I couldn't bear to lose another. Especially because we've been through so much. This relationship and the memories are irreplaceable.

He went to the door and grabbed the door handle. I got up and grabbed his arm, but he fought back with a strong gesture that was strange to me and startled me. So much so that it was me now and wrapped my arms around him.

And I cried.

"Epilog"

Her tears stained his blue suit. Takagi paused, shocked by Sato's unfamiliar behavior. She tightened her hug and sobbed. "Don't go," she said. "It wouldn't be the same without you ..."

"You're right ... the bureau would solve cases faster and better," he replied desperately.

"No, I don't mean that!" Sato cried. "Why do you have to be so damn hard on yourself? You don't have to! You are not alone.I am your partner! We share the burden and responsibility! It is not your sole fault and it never will be your sole! We are a team!"

"Because of me you have"

"I love you!"

Takagi froze.

"I love you!" She repeated. "I don't want you to go! I don't mind if you can't look after a family on your own. In a family everyone takes care of everyone!" She turned him and looked at him. "If it's too hard for you ... do it with me. Let's start a family."

Takagi stared into Sato's tear-streaked face. A single tear now ran down his face.

Two years later, much to Shiratori's disappointment, there was a newly married couple on the praesidium.

end