Ch. 101..110

Chapter 101 - 101: The theft is successful, and Conan is kidnapped?

In the stillness of the night, Naoki Matsuzuka quietly approached the drug refrigeration unit inside the research institute.

As the head of security, he had every right and clearance to be there.

Upon seeing the box labeled "APTX4869", Matsuzuka took one container without hesitation, tucked it into his jacket, and swiftly exited the room.

Utilizing his credentials, he deleted the surveillance footage for that time period and left the institute without raising suspicion. Ordinary security staff and researchers couldn't leave freely, but as one of the institute's top authorities, Naoki Matsuzuka could come and go at will.

"Master Gin asked me to deliver something.""Understood, Master Matsuzuka."

The staff at the reception had no doubts—after all, Gin often sent Matsuzuka on errands.

After logging his departure, Matsuzuka drove off calmly. Once he reached the main road, he pressed down on the accelerator.

Upon entering the city, he stopped at a clothing store to change into attire that concealed his identity, including sunglasses. Exiting the store, he tossed his old clothes and organization-issued cellphone into a roadside planter—he knew the device had GPS tracking and couldn't afford to be followed.

Whether the institute's travel logs or storage access records, he couldn't erase everything.In short, once Gin realized the drug was missing, it would be obvious who had done it.

And yet, fully aware of that risk, Naoki Matsuzuka didn't hesitate—he hailed a taxi and headed straight for Dorobika Paradise.

The Next Morning: Alarm at the Institute

By the time the institute noticed the theft, it was already the next morning.

At 8:00 a.m., during routine inventory checks, a researcher realized the number of APTX4869 boxes didn't match. The alert was triggered immediately.

Shiho Miyano, holding a cup of coffee and ready to focus on her research, nearly dropped the mug in shock when she heard the news.

"Check the entry and exit records of the storage room!""Yes, ma'am!""Has Gin been informed? Where's Naoki Matsuzuka?""Master Gin has been notified!""Team Leader, Matsuzuka-san hasn't returned since last night!"

"Everyone, suspend all operations immediately. From now on, don't consume anything, including water.""Understood!"

The air grew tense and heavy.

Within minutes, Gin and Vodka arrived like a storm.

The piercing coldness in Gin's glare silenced the room. The researchers and guards dared not lift their heads.

"Have you retrieved the surveillance footage?"

"We did… but the footage between 8:00 and 8:30 last night was deleted!"

"Bastard!" Vodka cursed, storming toward the computer."I'll see if I can recover it."

"Use your brain for once, Vodka." Gin's tone was glacial."Trace where Naoki Matsuzuka ran off to—now!"

Even without the footage, Matsuzuka's name in the access logs said enough.

How dare he betray us...

Despite being entrusted by the Organization to guard one of its most sensitive sites, Naoki Matsuzuka had turned traitor.

"Brother, the last GPS location from Matsuzuka's phone was 6-chome-14, Beika Town. But it hasn't moved since 9:00 p.m. yesterday—he probably ditched it there."

"Pull every surveillance feed from that sector."

"And someone retrieve the phone. Search the institute top to bottom!"

"Yes, sir!"

As the guards sprang into action, Shiho Miyano folded her arms, distanced from the chaos, and returned to her terminal—until Gin called out:

"Shirley, back up all research. If necessary, we'll evacuate the entire facility."

"Understood."

While Vodka frantically tried to recover the footage, Gin prepared his report for their superior. Simultaneously, the Organization's network of agents was activated to locate Naoki Matsuzuka.

Meanwhile: Hayashi Yoshiki Watches It Unfold

The theft was a complete success.

Although Hayashi Yoshiki hadn't received intel from Gin's end, he didn't need to. From his position in the shadows, he merely watched the behavior of those whose fates he controlled.

The reactions confirmed what he already knew—the plan had worked.

But for now, the "merchandise" would remain in circulation.It wasn't yet time to retrieve it.

Hayashi Yoshiki didn't believe the Black Organization could track down the stolen APTX4869, but he wouldn't make a move until the storm passed.

Unexpected Sight: Conan in Distress

At that moment, Hayashi Yoshiki was driving down the street.

He was helping Eri Kisaki deliver some case files to her law office. Apparently, she had taken the folder home the night before and forgot to bring it back, so she reached out to Yoshiki.

As he waited at a red light, phone in hand, something outside caught his eye.

To his right, in the passenger seat of a dark green sedan, Conan Edogawa was banging on the glass, clearly mouthing something desperate—possibly a cry for help.

Hayashi Yoshiki quickly lowered his window.

Before he could react further, a plump woman in the driver's seat suddenly reached over and covered Conan's mouth. She gave Hayashi Yoshiki a strained smile—then sped off as soon as the light turned green.

Was that Yukiko Kudo...?

Hayashi Yoshiki vaguely remembered the Kudo couple's tendency to tease their son, but he wasn't one to take chances.Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and called the police, even as he stepped on the gas to follow the car.

The silver Mercedes-Benz E-W210 roared into motion.

"Hello? Inspector Megure, I've just witnessed a kidnapping. It appears to be a case of child trafficking."

 

 

Chapter 102 - 102: Yukiko Kudo wants to cry but has no tears

Boom boom boom boom boom boom!!

On the main road of Beika Town, two vehicles—one green and one silver—were locked in a fierce chase.

Fortunately, it wasn't peak traffic hours, but the sight of two maniacs tearing down the road caused considerable panic among the otherwise calm morning commuters.

"..."

Conan sat in the passenger seat, unable to speak.

His expression was tight as he watched blurred buildings and scenery streak past the window. His seatbelt was fastened tightly, but the force of the acceleration pressed him harshly against the seat—like his entire body had been slammed flat.

This woman is insane!

Feeling the terrifying speed, Conan glanced nervously in the side mirror. The silver Mercedes-Benz E-W210 was rapidly catching up behind them.

A flicker of emotion crossed Conan's face—partially touched, but mostly regretful.

This is too dangerous...I shouldn't have asked Hayashi Yoshiki for help!

Earlier that morning, a plump woman claiming to be Edogawa Fumiyo, Conan's mother, had arrived at the Mouri Detective Agency. With her exceptional acting, she fooled both Kogoro Mouri and Ran, and whisked Conan away.

Of course, Conan knew he had no such mother.

But due to his secret identity, he couldn't say anything in front of Kogoro and Ran.

After being taken from the agency, Conan began assessing the situation and testing her identity, only to spot Hayashi Yoshiki's car at a traffic light intersection.

Desperately, he had banged on the window to signal for help—and Hayashi Yoshiki had responded immediately by giving chase.

Intercept and Impact

Hayashi Yoshiki narrowed the distance swiftly. His reaction time was impeccable, and despite the rising speed and tight road, he remained within safety limits.

As Yukiko Kudo slammed on the brakes and took a sharp turn, Hayashi Yoshiki's E-W210 roared into a clean drift, cutting inside the curve and overtaking her from the right.

Catching her off guard, Hayashi suddenly jerked the wheel left and rammed her car sideways—

Bang!!

The collision rocked both vehicles.

Yukiko Kudo screamed, and Conan, momentarily stunned, seized the opportunity. He unbuckled his seatbelt, reached over the center console, and simultaneously slammed the brake and accelerator.

The green manual-transmission car lurched—then stalled.

Seeing the vehicle stop, Hayashi Yoshiki jumped out of his car without hesitation.

Yukiko tried restarting the engine, but Hayashi had already approached. Wrapping his right hand in his suit jacket, he smashed his fist through the already-cracked driver's window—

"Ahhhhh!!"

Glass shattered, falling all over the front seat.

"Conan!""I know!!"

Conan scrambled out of the passenger seat just as Hayashi reared back to strike again. Yukiko, panicking, raised her hands and surrendered immediately.

Arrival of the Police

Just then, sirens blared.

Several police cruisers screeched to a halt—Inspector Megure and Miwako Sato among the officers who jumped out and surrounded the car.

"Careful! She's armed!!" Conan shouted.

Instantly alert, Sato drew her gun, followed by the other officers.

"Put your hands up! Keep your head down!""Exit the vehicle immediately!""I'll count to three!""One!"

Trembling, Yukiko raised her hands slowly.

"Please, please don't shoot! Calm down—I'm getting out now..."

She carefully exited the vehicle.

The officers eyed her with wary suspicion. In the face of their tense stares, Yukiko was on the verge of tears.

This really went too far...

She and Yusaku Kudo had only meant to test their son's vigilance—not involve the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Police.

Two officers confiscated her toy gun and handcuffed her.

Clearing the Scene

With the suspect in custody, Sato Miwako let out a breath of relief. She turned to Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Mr. Hayashi, are you hurt?"

"Ah, I'm fine..."

Hayashi began unwrapping his suit jacket from his hand—revealing a bloodied right hand.

Sato and Conan immediately stiffened at the sight.

"Quick! Someone treat Mr. Hayashi's wound!" Sato ordered.

"Brother Yoshiki..." Conan murmured.

"It's nothing, just a scratch." Hayashi said calmly, hanging his jacket over his left arm and smiling.

Turning to Conan, he asked:

"Conan, are you alright? Were you hurt?"

"I..."

Conan opened his mouth but glanced around at the gathering crowd—including Inspector Megure—and decided not to speak.

"Were you frightened...?"

Seeing his silence, Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze grew colder as he turned back to the restrained woman.

Yukiko's heart skipped a beat—she had no idea whether to feel grateful or horrified. While she was moved by someone protecting her son, the overwhelming escalation left her overwhelmed... and judging by Hayashi Yoshiki's face, he looked ready to punch her again.

Aftermath and Reflection

"Take this human trafficker to the station!"Inspector Megure Juzo ordered coldly.

He walked over to Hayashi Yoshiki and looked at his injured hand being bandaged.

"Thanks for your hard work, Brother Hayashi."

"Ah, not at all." Hayashi replied gently."Looks like I'll be heading to the Metropolitan Police for a statement."

"Yes—just recount what you saw."

"Alright."

Then Megure lowered his voice slightly.

"By the way, do you remember Mutsumi Nishikawa, the woman who had plastic surgery during the Blue Castle case?"

"Yes, of course."

"She died several days ago."

"...Huh?"

"Two days after being taken to the detention center, she suddenly died of a heart attack.""According to the coroner, it seemed she couldn't handle the reality that her plan failed and the treasure was taken by someone else. The shock was too much..."

Hayashi Yoshiki sighed softly.

"Greed can completely blind a person."

But inside, he was smiling.

So the results are in.

Mutsumi Nishikawa's death confirmed an important hypothesis—even after plastic surgery, a person could still be killed by the Death Note if one knew their original identity.

As for whether a surgically altered appearance alone could be used as a target—

That would be the next experiment...But Hayashi Yoshiki was confident. It should work.

 

Chapter 103 - 103: "I deserve to die!"

The Interrogation Room

Bang!!!

In the interrogation room, Miwako Sato slammed the table hard, causing it to shake violently.

"Explain!"

She glared sharply at Yukiko Kudo, currently disguised as a plump middle-aged woman, her tone so fierce it sent a shiver down Yukiko's spine.

"Where were you planning to abduct the child to?"

"Do you have any accomplices? Who are your superiors and subordinates?"

Under Miwako's intense glare, Yukiko, knowing full well this was a disastrous misunderstanding, forced a smile—one that looked more pitiful than amused.

"You still dare to smile!?"

Bang!!!!!

Woohoo...She's supposed to be a pretty woman... How can she be so terrifying!?

Handcuffed to the bench, Yukiko Kudo realized this situation had spiraled completely out of her control.

With an awkward grin, she attempted,

"Officer... may I make a phone call?"

"For what purpose?"

"This is all just a misunderstanding. Let me call my husband—he can explain everything."

"A misunderstanding?"

Miwako's face darkened at the word. She rose from her chair and stared down at the sweating Yukiko, her voice biting:

"So what—should I just take off your handcuffs, escort you out of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and wave you goodbye?"

"...I'm telling the truth!"

"Cut the nonsense! What's your name!?"

"Edogawa Fumiyo..."

Yukiko lowered her head sheepishly, but immediately shook it and said with resolve:

"No, that's not right. My real name is Yukiko Kudo."

Upon hearing that, Sato Miwako's veins nearly popped.

Was this woman trying to mess with her!?

Did she think she didn't know who the famous retired actress Yukiko Kudo was?

Sato took a deep breath to calm herself. With a sarcastic twitch at the corner of her lips, she began gathering the documents on the table.

"Fine. Since you're not cooperating, we'll charge you with kidnapping and abduction. You can wait for the public prosecutor to sort you out."

"Wait, wait! Officer, I am Yukiko Kudo!!"

Yukiko sat upright, trying hard to prove herself.

She tried to lift her cuffed hands to remove her fat-suit disguise—but perhaps due to too much padding, or the awkward positioning, she failed. As Sato Miwako and another officer exited the room, Yukiko even knocked over a paper cup, spilling cold tea all over her costume.

Tsk… the water's too cold!

Meanwhile, in the Records Room

"Here, Mr. Hayashi—please have some tea."

"Thanks."

During the record-taking process, Wataru Takagi noticed that Hayashi Yoshiki's cup had gone cold, so he kindly brought him a fresh cup of hot tea.

Knowing that Hayashi's right hand was injured, he thoughtfully placed it to his left side.

"Human traffickers are truly despicable. Thank goodness you noticed it in time, Mr. Hayashi."

"It's mostly because of Conan's sharp instincts."

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled warmly.

"I just hope he won't suffer any lasting trauma."

"Yes, there are officers speaking with him now. Once we finish here, please check on him... Shall we move on to the next part of the report?"

"Sure."

An Unexpected Visitor

Just then, someone unexpected arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Yusaku Kudo.

The world-renowned mystery novelist walked in with an apologetic smile and went straight to Inspector Megure, intent on explaining the massive misunderstanding.

What a disaster...

He had wanted to teach his son a lesson—and now his wife was in a holding cell.

After laying out the entire situation, Yusaku couldn't help but cover his face in embarrassment. Inspector Megure's face darkened considerably.

"Brother Yusaku... You're telling me this was a prank you two came up with on a whim? Do you understand how much chaos this caused!?"

"Yes... We admit we weren't thinking clearly. We're deeply sorry for the trouble, Officer Megure."

"Never mind the disruption to traffic from the chase. What if we had a real emergency we couldn't respond to in time? But even more serious—Hayashi Yoshiki risked his life thinking it was a real kidnapping! Do I need to spell out how dangerous that was!?"

"I... We're truly sorry. We'll apologize to Mr. Hayashi ourselves and cover any damages. We really regret what we did."

Inspector Megure sighed deeply and led Yusaku to the interrogation room.

Clearing the Air

When Yukiko saw her husband, she immediately stood up in excitement—now half out of her costume.

Once Inspector Megure confirmed that the "human trafficker" was indeed Yukiko Kudo, he relayed the facts to his team and had Conan brought in.

After everything was clarified, Conan looked at his parents with a profoundly blank expression.

"Brother Yoshiki thought I'd really been kidnapped. He chased after you immediately, without hesitation. He risked his life to save me."

"...We know."

"His car got dented."

"...We'll pay for it," they murmured.

"He hurt his right hand."

"We know..."

"I heard he had half a manuscript written for his next novel. He even had a deadline set with his editor... and now his writing hand is unusable."

"We're really sorry. We'll make it up to him..."

They bowed their heads even lower.

Though the Kudo couple were usually warmly welcomed at the police department, today they endured the icy gazes of the entire station—including Megure. They desperately wished they could disappear into the floor.

The Final Blow

Conan sighed heavily.

Yusaku and Yukiko Kudo had used the identities of Conan Edogawa's distant relatives. Claiming they hadn't seen him in a long time, they staged a fake kidnapping to "test" him—

What a stupid idea…

Conan couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of expression Hayashi Yoshiki would have when he learned the truth.

He didn't have to wait long.

"So... it was a misunderstanding?"

Hayashi Yoshiki stood at the door—his smile was gone.

The couple could only bow their heads again.

"Our deepest apologies..."

Silence.

More than ten seconds passed in oppressive silence.

Then came a soft sigh from Hayashi Yoshiki.

"At least there won't be any psychological trauma for Conan. That's the most important thing."

He smiled gently.

The sudden wave of guilt hit both Yusaku and Yukiko like a truck.

Especially Yukiko—when she saw Hayashi almost reach out his injured right hand to shake hands, only to pause from pain and silently switch to his left...

She really wanted to slap herself.

 

Chapter 104 - 104: Delayed Gratification

Conan's kidnapping incident had come to an end—for now.

Yusaku Kudo and Yukiko Kudo continued to express their heartfelt apologies and gratitude to Hayashi Yoshiki, but in the end, overwhelmed with embarrassment, they left the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department with Conan in tow.

As they drove, Yusaku began carefully forming his words.

Originally, his intention had been to use this prank to make Conan more aware of the dangers of his current situation, to help him understand the risks he posed not just to himself but to those around him. But instead, he had nearly ended up sending his wife to jail.

Still, once Conan understood his father's intentions, he ultimately chose to stay.

After a deep father-son conversation, it was Yusaku Kudo who relented.

He agreed to let Conan remain in Tokyo—but warned that if things ever grew too dangerous, he would come and take Conan away, no matter what.

Yukiko didn't say much during the exchange. But after everything had been settled, she finally asked with a playful grin:

"So, Shin-chan, who's that handsome young man?"

"Hayashi Yoshiki. I think he's Aunt Eri's nephew—so that makes him Ran's cousin."

"He seemed really gentle and dependable… Oh, this is so messed up. We just wanted to prank you, and we ended up injuring him." Yukiko groaned and covered her face.

"Seriously…" Conan deadpanned.

"I heard you mention he's a writer too?"

"Yeah, like you, Dad. He's a mystery novelist."

"Really?"

"And he's amazing…"

Conan went on at length.

The more the couple listened, the more surprised they became—especially Yusaku, who grew increasingly intrigued the moment he heard about Hayashi Yoshiki's knack for solving cases.

From Conan's tone, it was clear he had already acknowledged defeat.

"The Case Files of Young Kindaichi, huh? I'll look it up and read it later."

The family's car drove off into the night.

9:00 PM – Yingmihua Apartments

When Yoko Okino heard the doorbell, she rushed to the entrance.

The moment she opened the door and saw the figure standing outside, a smile instinctively bloomed across her delicate features.

"Kashiki-kun…"

"Good evening."

Hayashi Yoshiki stood there in a sleek black casual suit, his expression soft and warm. Before Yoko could say anything else, he pulled his hands from behind his back—holding out a radiant bouquet of deep red roses.

It was beautifully wrapped and immediately evoked a sense of romance.

"Ah…"

Yoko let out a quiet gasp, eyes widening in surprise.

"Do you like them?"

"I love them…"

Her cheeks flushed as she accepted the bouquet with delight.

"Thank you, Yoshiki-kun."

She stepped aside to let him in. After Hayashi Yoshiki walked inside, he gently closed the door behind him.

Click.

Yoko was about to tell him where to leave his shoes when, suddenly, Hayashi Yoshiki stepped forward, pulled her close, and kissed her—pressing his lips against hers with a boldness that took her breath away.

Ah…

Yoko instinctively tightened her grip on the bouquet. The crisp paper rustled as it was caught between them, and she held her breath, all while savoring the fresh, minty scent that lingered between them.

After a while, she finally caught her breath.

Trying to calm her pounding heart, she glanced at Hayashi Yoshiki—his expression was calm and composed, smiling faintly.

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself."

He chuckled.

The relaxed confidence on his face made Yoko puff her cheeks in a small pout.

Hayashi Yoshiki slipped into a pair of indoor slippers. That's when Yoko noticed something wrapped around his hand.

"Yoshiki, what happened to your right hand?"

"Just a little injury. It's nothing serious."

"How did you get hurt? Are you really okay?"

"Yes, honestly. I barely even feel it anymore."

Still, Yoko was visibly concerned.

She took his wrist and examined the bandage with gentle fingers. It was only lightly wrapped around the back of his hand, so perhaps it really wasn't too serious?

"It's fine, really."

Hayashi Yoshiki softly withdrew his hand and smiled with his usual warmth.

"But compared to how worried you look now, your face when I gave you the flowers was way cuter."

"You shouldn't tease people when they're worried about you, Yoshiki-kun."

"Got it~"

"Really…"

"Haha."

As they entered the living room, the warm lighting revealed a neatly cleaned space.

Today was a rare day off for Yoko Okino.

Her recent drama had received a great response, and her agency had kept her booked with events. But after completing her commitments, she was finally granted a short break.

This evening marked the first night of her vacation.

She had carefully done her makeup—suited to her naturally soft and sweet features. Her long, chestnut-colored hair cascaded around her lightly flushed cheeks. Her bright eyes sparkled beneath delicately arched brows, and the light pink blush she wore paired perfectly with her snow-white skin.

Catching Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze, she felt shy, but smiled anyway, placing the bouquet gently on the table.

"Let's sit here, Yoshiki-kun."

"Mm."

He nodded and sat with her on the sofa. The television was playing a cheerful variety show in the background.

Yoko curled up beside him, holding his hand. She began to chatter about the past few days' filming and her excitement for the time off ahead. Her smile was so bright and sincere that it even lifted Hayashi Yoshiki's spirits.

"Still… it sounds like it's been tough for you."

"Tough, yes… but I don't dislike it at all."

"Yeah?"

"Mm. I've always dreamed of being a star ever since I was a little girl. So even if it's exhausting, I'm happy."

"That's admirable."

Hayashi Yoshiki gently praised her, then reached out and patted her head.

It was the first time he'd done that.

Yoko didn't resist—instead, she thought to herself how warm his hand felt. The tiredness she'd been feeling suddenly seemed to melt away.

"But I'm sorry, Yoshiki-kun. I've been so busy lately... It must've felt like I was making you wait."

"It's alright."

"..."

"Isn't there a phrase for that? 'Delayed gratification,' right?"

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he looked at her, his voice tinged with soft mischief.

"The longer I waited, the more I found myself looking forward to tonight."

 

 

Chapter 105 - 105: I like you, Yoshiki-kun

Night

There were only two people in the room.

The curtains had been drawn early, and the only light source was the cold glow of the TV. The air conditioner in the corner hummed quietly.

But in truth, Okino Yoko could barely remember what was on the screen.

Although her eyes were fixed on the television, she couldn't immerse herself in the story — her heart was pounding, her cheeks were burning. All she could think about were the breathing and firm arms of the man beside her.

When Hayashi Yoshiki looked over, Okino Yoko reflexively lifted her head slightly.

Her bright eyes shimmered with a misty glow, her lips slightly parted, as if lost in a daze and ready to be kissed.

Hayashi Yoshiki did not hesitate.

He claimed her lips as though they belonged to him, taking away her breath with a passionate and commanding kiss that left her gasping.

Okino Yoko remained passive throughout.

When he finally let her go, her chest rose and fell rapidly as she craved oxygen.

Her mind felt hazy, oxygen-deprived.

Her whole body felt as light as if she were drunk. She gazed up at Hayashi Yoshiki with wide, innocent eyes—eyes that tempted him once again to "bully" her.

"Yoshiki-kun..."

Her soft murmur sounded like a plea.

Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled quietly.

The delicate and adorable woman reflected in his dark eyes. He took in her flustered expression calmly, the gentle smile in his gaze making Okino Yoko feel sweet to her core.

"It's already past eleven,"he said.

"Is Yoshiki-kun leaving...?"she asked instinctively.

"Would Yoko want me to stay?"

"..."

With the question returned to her, Okino Yoko blushed and couldn't bring herself to answer.

But Hayashi Yoshiki didn't seem interested in waiting. He leaned in and effortlessly pressed the popular idol down onto the sofa, silencing her shy hesitation.

She only let out a soft sound.

By then, Hayashi Yoshiki's left hand had naturally slid to the outside of her thigh.

By the time she could breathe again, Okino Yoko felt her heart pounding madly.

Thump... thump...

She couldn't help but raise her hands, crossing her arms over her chest in an attempt to calm the overwhelming sensation.

At that point, most of her lip makeup had faded.

By contrast, Hayashi Yoshiki's lips were rosier than usual… the breath and words spilling from them intoxicating.

"Yoko's perfume smells so nice."

"...Mm."

Hayashi Yoshiki actually liked when women wore perfume on dates.

Though some might say that truly beautiful women with natural body scents didn't need perfume, he didn't agree. Even natural beauty shines brighter with the right enhancements. Perfume pleases the senses. Used well, it only amplifies a woman's allure.

Especially when the lights go out and the night gets sweaty—perfume mingled with sweat becomes something even sexier...

"Yoshiki-kun…"

Smelling the fragrance rising from her neck, the fine hairs on Okino Yoko's skin stood on end. Her beautiful eyes fluttered half-closed, and her breath slowed unconsciously:

"Will you... come into the bedroom?"

The Next Morning

Sleeping in until you naturally wake is one of life's quiet joys.

Hayashi Yoshiki stirred in bed.

It was nearly noon.

Golden sunlight spilled through the bay window, warming half the room, while the curtain's soft shadow floated lazily across the bed.

All was quiet.

So still, it was as if he could hear time itself passing, like a breeze brushing through the cracks of the window—soft and slow.

Hayashi Yoshiki turned his head and saw that Okino Yoko was still sleeping.

Maybe she was too exhausted. She slept deeply, her lovely face now flushed with a rare, gentle beauty.

He was moved.

He smiled, and just as he adjusted the pillow to lie closer to her, he saw Okino Yoko's long lashes flutter. Soon, her eyes opened.

"...Yoshiki-kun."

Her voice was husky from sleep. She squinted and smiled unconsciously.

"Good morning."

"Good morning,"Hayashi Yoshiki replied with a soft, intellectual warmth.

Okino Yoko inched closer.

She stretched out her fair arms and snuggled into his chest, her warm body clinging to him, arms curling around his neck.

She buried her face near his collarbone.

"What's wrong?"Hayashi Yoshiki stroked the back of her head.

"Nothing…"

"Won't you look at me?"

"No, it's just..."she hesitated, voice quieter now:"My makeup's probably smudged. I must look awful."

"That's not true. Yoko looks adorable."

Okino Yoko hadn't had time to properly remove her makeup last night. By the end, she simply passed out.

It was obvious—especially the eye makeup...

Hayashi Yoshiki gently touched the skin near her eyes. The smeared eyeshadow and tear tracks made her look a little messy—but still so beautiful.

Just the warmth of his fingers made Okino Yoko feel like her heart would overflow.

"I like you, Yoshiki-kun."

"Mm,"Hayashi Yoshiki smiled."I like you too, Yoko."

Just one sentence.

Her heart clenched in quiet joy.

She smiled.

But soon, she remembered her smudged makeup and pulled away.

"I'll go wash up first."

"Okay."

Okino Yoko quickly got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Hayashi Yoshiki also sat up.

He picked up his phone, found no new messages, and rose from bed.

Bloodstains were starkly visible on the bedsheets.

Okino Yoko was removing her makeup in the bathroom. Without it, she looked youthful and radiant. Noticing Hayashi Yoshiki come up behind her, she smiled happily:

"Yoshiki-kun, can I make you a sandwich for breakfast later?"

"You'll make it?"

"Mm-hmm. I'm really good at making breakfast."

After all, she had long been hosting the segment 'Good Morning at 7: Okino Yoko's 4-Minute Cooking Time.'

Hayashi Yoshiki looked at her, smiled, and nodded.

"Alright."

 

Chapter 106 - 106: Harvest Time and Apology

"Then we'll see you next time, Mr. Kosuke."

"Okay, Mr. Hayashi, please take care."

At the psychotherapy clinic inside Beika General Hospital, Hayashi Yoshiki had just bid farewell to his attending psychiatrist, Kosuke Fudo.

There was always a smile on Hayashi's face.

—Finally, it's time to harvest.

After a long period of hypnotic suggestion, Fudo Kyousuke had now come to fully identify himself as Fudo Kosuke.

Hayashi Yoshiki hadn't needed to disrupt his conscious mind too deeply.

In society, Fudo still operated under his original name, "Fudo Kyousuke," but at a subconscious level, the idea that "Fudo Kosuke is my real name" had been thoroughly implanted.

As a result, he had begun treating "Fudo Kyousuke" merely as a nickname.

In truth, Hayashi Yoshiki believed the experiment had reached the required stage a while ago, but out of caution, he had delayed testing it—until now.

Upon leaving the hospital, Hayashi waited around five minutes before a taxi finally arrived.

He stepped into the back seat, waited for the car to start, then pulled out a notebook from his coat.

"Fudo Kyousuke"At 12:18 PM on September 27, while crossing the intersection, he was struck by a red-light-running vehicle.He died due to critical injuries and failed emergency rescue.

Hayashi wrote only the original name.

Tomorrow was September 27.

By tomorrow afternoon, he would know the results.

While in the taxi, Hayashi Yoshiki received an unexpected call—from an unfamiliar number.

He pressed the answer button.

"Hello, who is this?"

"I'm Yusaku Kudo, Mr. Hayashi."

A warm laugh rang from the other end.

Then Hayashi heard Yusaku Kudo say:

"Sorry for calling you only today. I was wondering how your hand injury is doing?"

"It's healing well. I had the bandages removed the day before yesterday."

"I'm terribly sorry for the incident," Yusaku said apologetically, "Your car should be fully repaired in about three more days. I know this has caused you quite a bit of trouble."

"Please don't worry about it, Mr. Kudo."

"Also, I read your manuscript over the last couple of days—what a superb story!"

"From the Opera House to Ijinkan Village to the Snow Yasha Legend Murder Case, I can really see your growing mastery. Especially in the Snow Yasha case—the complexity, the local folklore, and the murderer's use of an ice bridge for their alibi... It was brilliant—fantastical, yet chillingly plausible. I've never read anything quite like it."

His tone was full of admiration.

In that story, the murderer had indeed pulled off a stunning trick:

To create an alibi, they constructed a bridge between cliffs that could support a vehicle. The plan involved pre-fixing thick ropes across the cliffs, layering them with straw and snow, then pouring water over it. In the frigid -30°C to -40°C setting, the water instantly froze into ice, forming a temporary but driveable bridge—shortening travel time and manufacturing the perfect alibi.

"Your work's published by Futaba Publishing, right?" Yusaku added. "Their domestic promotions are strong, but I believe your writing deserves an international audience."

"I have a trustworthy overseas publisher I could connect you with."

"Also, a new Night Baron game is releasing soon. If you're interested, would you like to collaborate?"

That offer surprised Hayashi Yoshiki.

If this was an apology, it was certainly a generous one. As a world-renowned mystery novelist, Yusaku Kudo's Night Baron series was beloved worldwide. Even a dangerous computer virus had once been named Night Baron.

"It would be my honor. But are you sure I wouldn't trouble you, Mr. Kudo?"

"Not at all. Your work is outstanding. Please don't underestimate yourself."

Yusaku Kudo's tone was sincere and respectful.

He spoke warmly and then ended the call.

Indeed, this was good news...

Today, Hayashi Yoshiki's dual roles as detective and novelist enhanced one another—progress in one would raise the profile of the other.

What did trouble him, however, was how Gin had not reduced his assignments.

Hayashi had hoped that his elevated public persona would cause the Organization to ease off, to avoid exposure.

Instead, Gin asked:

"Only one target? Is that enough?"

Hayashi Yoshiki had no idea what Gin was thinking.

Meanwhile...

Naoki Matsuzaka was dead.

No matter how well he hid, he couldn't escape the Black Organization. In the end, Gin had personally come to his home—tortured him, then executed him with a bullet.

As expected, Naoki uttered the words "Rye Whiskey" before dying.

That single mention made Gin twitch as if struck in a sore spot. His killer instinct flared up to such a degree that even Vodka felt uneasy standing beside him.

Shuichi Akai—the only traitor who had survived leaving the Organization—was a stain Gin could not forgive.

To Gin, Shuichi Akai remained one of the most dangerous enemies of the Black Organization.

"Those damn FBI bastards—"

"Brother, if Naoki Matsuzaka was with the FBI, then… doesn't that mean our research facility is compromised?"

"Ah."

There was a flash of cold malice in Gin's eyes.

Fortunately, he had prepared for this.

After Naoki's betrayal, he'd immediately evacuated the original facility and relocated operations to a backup site.

"What's the status on Akemi Miyano?"

"She's still working at the bank, right?"

"Hmph. Tell her the deadline is almost up. If she doesn't produce 1 billion yen—she'll never see her sister again!"

"Got it, Big Brother."

Vodka answered obediently.

Originally, because of Sherry (Shiho Miyano), Gin had tolerated Akemi's continued existence.

But now, with Shuichi Akai involved, Gin's temper had reached its limit.

Since he couldn't reach Sherry for now, he might as well take it out on the sister.

"Brother, should we still track down the missing APTX4869?"

"Hmph… If the FBI has it, they've already moved it somewhere safe."Gin's eyes turned dark."I'll report this to that gentleman. Pull our people out—for now."

 

 

Chapter 107 - 107: It doesn’t make sense that the guy with better reasoning ability wouldn’t be able to guess it

November 17th

It had been more than ten days since Hayashi Yoshiki last visited the psychotherapy department or received the call from Yusaku Kudo.

Today, he made a phone call:

"Hello? Mr. Kosuke."

"Sorry, I need to cancel this week's therapy session. I'm currently out of town and can't make it."

"Ah, understood. I'll cancel your appointment,"

came the clear, pleasant voice of Fudo Kosuke from the other end.

"When you're ready to resume, just give me a call, Mr. Hayashi."

"Thank you, I will."

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he ended the call.

Fudo Kyosuke was still alive.

That fact confirmed something crucial: the Death Note's power to kill depends not merely on the written name, but whether the target themselves consciously recognizes that name as their true identity.

This was a critical revelation.

It was like finding the most essential piece of a puzzle.

Hayashi Yoshiki had other, more significant tests planned next.

As for Fudo Kyosuke, he was now irrelevant.

—However, both Gin and Eri Kisaki took his psychological condition very seriously, so abandoning therapy on a whim would raise suspicion.

After hanging up, Hayashi Yoshiki navigated his contact list until he found a name: Ma Chengshi. He typed out and sent a text:

"Mr. Chengshi, if you have time, please help keep an eye on any recent news from Beika City. If you notice any reports of bank robberies in newspapers or news broadcasts, please contact me immediately."

A reply came swiftly:

Asanami: "Understood. I'll watch for it."

Hayashi put away his phone.

Since the Tsukikage Island incident had concluded, he hadn't taken the initiative to contact Ma Chengshi, though the latter still sent occasional greetings.

This small favor should be no problem.

Still, Hayashi Yoshiki felt an unease—not so much a sixth sense as a rational deduction:

Gin was likely planning to target Akemi Miyano.

It wasn't metaphysical intuition. It was deduction grounded in fact.

Gin always became more agitated whenever Shuichi Akai was mentioned—after all, Akai infiltrated the Organization through Akemi Miyano's connections. If it weren't for Sherry, Akemi would've been eliminated long ago.

Her continued existence was an irritant to Gin.

Osaka Excursion

After ending his call, Hayashi Yoshiki walked toward a group not far ahead.

"Look over there, that's Tennoji Zoo. Over there is the Osaka Sports Center. And right this way is the Tsutenkaku Tower—you can see the whole city from up top!"

The speaker, a dark-skinned youth in a baseball cap, gestured widely, smiling with pride.

"Well? Isn't Osaka awesome?"

"Yes, the view is great,"

Ran Mouri said warmly.

"Tch, looks just like Tokyo Tower to me,"

grumbled Kogoro Mouri.

"Don't compare it to that boring hunk of red steel. This tower and the whole area around it have that Osaka soul!"

Heiji Hattori declared with gusto. Then, spotting Hayashi Yoshiki, he waved:

"Yo! Finished with your call, little bro?"

"Yeah."Hayashi Yoshiki smiled."The vibe here's definitely different from Tokyo. Thanks for the invite—it was worth the trip."

"Told you!"Heiji grinned.

Just two days prior, Heiji Hattori had invited Hayashi Yoshiki, Kogoro, and his companions to Osaka for a visit.

Hayashi wasn't particularly interested at first—until he remembered a certain character that appears during the Osaka arc of the original Detective Conan. That sparked his curiosity again.

(He keeps avoiding direct conversation… Has he figured out who I am?)

Watching Heiji repeatedly whisper to Conan, Hayashi Yoshiki made a deduction of his own.

After the diplomat case, Heiji had joined Kogoro's crew in another case involving Sherlock Holmes fans. It was then that Heiji had deduced Conan's identity.

"I told you not to call me Kudo in front of Hayashi Yoshiki. What if he catches on?"

"I know, I know—I'm being careful…"

"What?"

"You think he's already figured out your identity?"

That last line made Conan freeze.

"What!?"

"Think about it. Based on your usual behavior, even I could guess. A guy with sharper reasoning skills than me? Come on."

"...That can't be right."

Conan suddenly felt nervous.

"I usually play it safe… Besides, half the time, he solves the case before I can even try."

"That so?"

"Yes! Exactly."

Conan nodded a bit too quickly, trying to convince himself more than anyone else.

But Heiji Hattori wasn't buying it.

He shrugged—he wasn't about to get too involved—and turned to the others.

"Alright, tour's done. Time to eat! Today's ride is pretty special."

"You mean the police car?"Hayashi Yoshiki, who had been admiring the view, turned with a smile.

"Wait, how'd you know?"Heiji blinked.

"Well, it was arranged by the Osaka Police Chief's son."

"...So it is a police car?"

Ran Mouri's expression twisted slightly.

She had looked forward to this Osaka trip… but riding around in a police cruiser like a criminal?

"I think it's kind of fun."

"Why do you say that, Yoshiki-oniisan?"

"Haha, relax!"

In the end, they couldn't turn down their host's hospitality and piled into the patrol car that Heiji had arranged.

Their driver was Detective Yusuke Sakata of the Osaka First Investigation Division.

When they first met, he wore glasses and greeted them a bit shyly. His honest face reminded Hayashi Yoshiki of Wataru Takagi from Tokyo's MPD.

This moment gave Hayashi a fresh insight into stereotypes:

Not all Osaka detectives are flashy hotheads with sharp tongues and wild antics.

 

Chapter 108 - 108: In the end, he still couldn't escape the fate of becoming a test subject

Celebrity at the Okonomiyaki Restaurant

"Teacher Hayashi! Please give me your autograph!"

"Me too! Over here, please!!"

"Could you sign this for me?"

"...Alright, just a moment. Let me finish this side first. And please don't crowd too much."

Inside a bustling okonomiyaki restaurant, a crowd of excited young girls had gathered around Hayashi Yoshiki, who sat calmly in his seat, pen in hand, smiling graciously as he signed one autograph after another.

Maori Kogoro watched the scene with envy.

"So his novels are that popular with the ladies?"

"Well, a lot of the girls in our class have been reading Yoshiki-san's books lately… Though it seems like most of them are more interested in him than the actual stories,"Ran said with a knowing smile.

At that moment, Heiji Hattori had stepped away to make a phone call. Conan, seated nearby, looked vaguely troubled.

He couldn't help but dwell on Heiji's earlier comment—maybe Hayashi Yoshiki already knows my identity?

Come to think of it, Conan had made a lot of mistakes during the diplomat incident. Not long after "Conan" went to rest, Shinichi Kudo suddenly appeared—both suffering from the same cold symptoms. And his own behavior had been, well, less than inconspicuous.

Should I test him?

Since Heiji already knew the truth, it wouldn't be too devastating if Hayashi Yoshiki figured it out. Especially given how much Conan trusted him after his parents' peculiar intervention.

A Tense Misunderstanding

Just then, a girl appeared and sat in the empty seat next to Ran.

"Excuse me, that seat's for our friend—"

"You're Kudo, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

Ran blinked, confused by the girl's tone and sudden question.

"Heiji's always talking about you."

"Hattori...?"

"Don't play dumb! I know who you are!"

The girl—Kazuha Toyama—leaned in with surprising intensity, causing Ran to smile nervously.

"You're the girl named Kudo, the one Heiji met in Tokyo and keeps talking about, right?!"

"No…"

The soft voice didn't come from Ran, but from behind Kazuha.

She turned and saw an exceptionally handsome young man standing there—Hayashi Yoshiki.

He spoke gently, smiling as always.

"Kudo refers to Shinichi Kudo, a male high school detective from Tokyo. The person you're thinking of is Mouri Ran."

"...!"

Instantly, Kazuha Toyama's face flushed red.

Her eyes flicked between Ran and Hayashi Yoshiki, and then she quickly bowed in apology.

"I'm so sorry! I misunderstood! You two are a couple, right?!"

"Ah—"

This time Ran flushed scarlet, eyes wide in shock.

Hayashi Yoshiki blinked, surprised—but his surprise quickly turned into an amused smile.

"So that's how we appear to others?"

Conan looked up sharply.

No!

This wasn't the proper reaction! A normal person would've waved their hands and denied it immediately!

Why aren't you denying it, Hayashi Yoshiki!?

"Did I mess up again...?"Kazuha looked mortified.

She glanced up at Hayashi Yoshiki's face and suddenly found herself a bit tongue-tied.

"You're Hattori's friend, right? Please, take his seat if you'd like."

"...Okay."

Kazuha sat down, still clearly flustered.

Ran, seeing the misunderstanding was resolved, said nothing further. Instead, she slid her okonomiyaki over to Hayashi Yoshiki with a smile:

"Yoshiki-oniisan, you've been signing for so long. Eat before it gets cold."

"Thanks."

Hayashi picked up his utensils.

Ran smiled warmly at him.

It was an innocent gesture, but Conan couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.

Why didn't she clarify either...?

Sensing Kazuha's lingering embarrassment, Ran tried to steer the conversation toward lighter topics—asking about her relationship with Heiji Hattori.

As expected, two girls of similar age quickly found a conversational rhythm.

Talk of Appearances

Before long, the subject shifted—inevitably—back to Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Seems like being famous has its drawbacks."

"Yeah… I've actually been thinking of making some changes so I won't be so easily recognized."

Hayashi set down his cutlery and chuckled.

"Maybe I should try changing my hairstyle?"

"Yoshiki-oniisan wants a new look?"

"I'm considering it. Any suggestions, Ran?"

"Let me think…"

Ran lit up. Hayashi had often complimented her style before, occasionally offering his own fashion tips. She trusted his aesthetic sense and was excited to return the favor.

"If you're that concerned, maybe just wear a mask,"Conan said abruptly.

"True enough."

Hayashi Yoshiki nodded.

A Sudden Turn

Shortly after, Heiji Hattori returned from his call.

Upon seeing Kazuha, he immediately started scolding her in typical blunt fashion—though not harsh enough to drive her away.

Eventually, they all squeezed back into the police car arranged by Heiji.

Detective Yusuke Sakata from the Osaka First Division was at the wheel.

Just as they were about to depart—

Thud—

A corpse dropped from above, landing hard on the hood of the police car.

Another Case Begins

Following some quick investigation, they identified it as a serial murder case.

What was meant to be a leisure trip to Osaka had now turned into a high-stakes mystery.

"Yoshiki-oniisan, aren't you coming too?"

After sending Ran and the others off, Heiji Hattori turned and invited Hayashi Yoshiki to join their investigation.

"I have an important call to make later. I'll catch up when I'm free. Good luck."

Hayashi Yoshiki didn't seem too invested in the case.

He watched from a distance as Heiji and Conan (tucked under his coat) ran off to investigate.

Eventually, based on the clues they uncovered, Hayashi Yoshiki located the hiding place of Kiichiro Numabuchi.

A Name to Be Judged

Kiichiro Numabuchi—a former member of the Black Organization.

Trained as a killer for his physical prowess, but later discarded and repurposed as a test subject for APTX4869. He escaped before human trials began.

Even before joining the Organization, Numabuchi had a record of murder. While evading capture, he killed three more people.

Hayashi Yoshiki opened his notebook and wrote the name:

"Kiichiro Numabuchi"

"In the end, you couldn't escape your fate as an experiment."

"Whether it's APTX4869—or the Death Note."

 

 

Chapter 109 - 109: Combination of Drug A and Death Note

Nestled within Meiji no Mori Minō Kokutei Kōen (Minoh Quasi-National Park) in Minoh City, Osaka, the tranquil beauty of Minoo Falls conceals a dark secret:

Kiichiro Numabuchi is hiding here.

—Or more accurately, he was hidden here.

Recently, Osaka has seen a string of brutal murders. Though Numabuchi is not the killer, he is the target of the killer's revenge. The true murderer imprisoned Numabuchi in the attic of a remote mountain cabin, planning to pin the crimes on him after completing their act of vengeance.

Trapped in Darkness

Handcuffed and confined in the attic, Numabuchi sat curled in a squat, dozing restlessly.

The man who had locked him there used to come daily, bringing him store-bought lunchboxes and bottled water—just enough to keep him alive. But he hadn't shown up since the day before.

Starving and dehydrated, Numabuchi grew weaker by the hour. In the attic's pitch-dark isolation, time became meaningless.

Then, a sound.

Footsteps—below.

Numabuchi slapped the attic floor in desperation, trying to make noise. Whoever was beneath seemed to take notice. After some rustling, the attic hatch creaked open.

A rugged-looking man appeared, flashlight in hand.

"Food… Water…"

The stranger wasn't the man who had imprisoned him, but Numabuchi didn't care anymore. He pleaded desperately:

"Please, I beg you, just give me something to eat…"

"Here."

The man's eyes were eerily calm.

He pulled two onigiri and a bottle of water from his coat—convenience store items—and tossed them up to Numabuchi, who caught them with trembling hands. He tore open the wrappers and devoured the food ravenously.

In his desperate hunger, he failed to notice something odd: a capsule hidden in one of the rice balls.

By the time he realized, it was too late.

"What… did you feed me?"

Panic overtook him as he tried to force himself to vomit—but he failed.

Within moments, APTX4869, now dissolved in his stomach, began to take effect.

His body burned. An excruciating heat surged through him, as though every bone were melting. He clutched his abdomen in agony, unable to even scream.

He collapsed, violently trembling.

The stranger stood motionless, unfazed by the suffering before him. As Numabuchi writhed, the cuffs on his wrist scraped deeper into his skin.

Then—

A sudden release. The cuffs slid off.

Steam hissed from his body as his form shrank into that of a child.

Drenched in sweat, he panted heavily, looking down at his small hands in utter disbelief. His mind reeled with fear and confusion.

"If you don't want to die, come with me."

The stranger finally spoke.

Still dazed, Numabuchi hesitated—but followed.

The Experiment Succeeds

In an abandoned warehouse, Hayashi Yoshiki looked down at the now miniaturized Kiichiro Numabuchi with unmistakable satisfaction.

"Congratulations, Kiichiro Numabuchi."

He ignored the fear on the boy's face, simply admiring the outcome:

"Rejuvenation. To experience that personally… I wonder, how does it feel?"

"Y-You're… from that organization!"

"Oh?"

Hayashi Yoshiki's smile softened, but his tone held menace.

Numabuchi's face twisted in horror. His limbs trembled.

"That aura… I'll never mistake it."

"That's why you think I'm one of them?"

"..."

He had no answer.

There was no malice in Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze—no overt threat in his body language.

But it didn't matter.

Numabuchi felt terror.

His instincts screamed. His heart raced.

Those eyes…

That cold, clinical stare—it was just like Gin's.

Emotionless. Analyzing him like an experiment, not a human being.

Yet in some ways, Hayashi Yoshiki's gentle tone made it worse. The absence of rage or bloodlust was itself chilling.

The Attempted Betrayal

Numabuchi slowly reached behind his back.

Hayashi Yoshiki noticed—he already knew there was a knife hidden there, likely planted for this very situation.

"Really? I thought you'd be grateful."

"You're a murderer on the run. Hunted by police and the Organization. Now that you've become a child, you can start over."

"What do you say?"

"Help me with one small task, and I'll say nothing."

"You can disappear. Reinvent yourself. Begin again."

He spread his hands, offering peace.

But in that motion, Numabuchi saw an opening.

He leapt.

In a flash, the five meters between them vanished. The knife was in his hand, mid-strike—

He had the perfect angle.

This will kill him!

But then—

"What a pity."

Those quiet words hit like a brick.

Numabuchi froze in midair.

His momentum crumpled, and he fell to the ground. The knife clattered from his grip.

"..."

A few seconds passed.

Numabuchi stood up slowly, eyes blank.

He retrieved the knife—but no longer tried to use it.

He said nothing.

He didn't run.

He simply stood there, silent, numb.

Hayashi Yoshiki looked at him one last time before walking away, utterly uninterested now.

The End of the Subject

Later that night,

Kiichiro Numabuchi wandered to a secluded area.

Still hollow-eyed, he drew the knife.

With no emotion, he plunged it into his throat—

—and collapsed, lifeless.

 

 

Chapter 110 - 110: Recorded Contents

The Test Behind the Test

Long before traveling to Osaka and deciding to use Kiichiro Numabuchi as the subject of experimentation, Hayashi Yoshiki had already shipped a capsule of APTX4869 to Osaka using other "disposable assets."

For this trial, Hayashi Yoshiki wrote down three names in the Death Note—Numabuchi's included.

1. Takeyama Shunsuke

*October 16, 17:49.I drive to Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park and locate a hidden attic in a wooden cabin near Minoo Falls.

I climb into the attic and discover a man in handcuffs.

I conceal a red drug capsule inside a rice ball and feed it to the man. I witness something unbelievable occur.

I then escort the man to an abandoned factory at 8-chome-42, Naniwa-ku, Osaka.

I die of drowning three days later.*

However, immediately after writing this entry, Takeyama Shunsuke died of a heart attack.

Perhaps the Death Note interpreted that his act of drugging another would indirectly result in death, nullifying the rest of the instructions.

This marked a failed attempt at orchestrating third-party manipulation through the Note.

2. Kiichiro Numabuchi

Cause of Death: Suicide*Evening of October 16, I am discovered in the attic by a stranger. After consuming the food he offers, my body undergoes a bizarre transformation.

I'm escorted from the attic to the abandoned warehouse at 8-chome-42, Naniwa-ku, Osaka.

Upon hearing the words "Happy cooperation," I silently accept everything and later jump into a lake at 19:47 on October 30.

But if I hear the words "What a pity," I instead lose all will to act and stab myself in the throat at 11:00 PM in a deserted place.*

This version worked.

By predetermining Numabuchi's own death, Hayashi Yoshiki ensured the Death Note's effectiveness.

3. Masato Tsui

His entry mirrored Takeyama Shunsuke's—identical instructions, identical timeline.

But the result was completely different.

Unlike Takeyama, Masato Tsui did not die from a heart attack. The test proceeded as scripted.

This contrast confirmed a theory: As long as the cause of death is physically plausible and logically written, the Death Note will fulfill it—even if it involves APTX4869.

The test suggests that APTX4869 itself isn't uniformly fatal—it depends on factors like genetics, resistance, or random chance.

Hypothesis and Reflection

Then why did Takeyama fail?Perhaps the Note has limited influence over actions that directly harm a third party.Would it have worked if the Note merely said: "He sees the man eat the capsule and witnesses something miraculous"?

Would he still have died just for delivering it?

Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't sure.

He speculated that simply being the transporter of the drug was enough to trigger fatal rejection by the Note's rules.

He'd need to conduct more trials later.

Returning from Osaka

After two days and one night in Osaka, the murder case was finally closed. But the police remained puzzled—Kiichiro Numabuchi had completely vanished.

"That was fun! What do you think, Yoshiki?"

"Osaka was great—and the food's amazing."

"I bought so many souvenirs!" Ran clapped her hands in delight. "Yoshiki-oniisan, can I ask you to help me deliver some to my mom later?"

"Of course. Leave it to me."

They boarded the Shinkansen. The trip from Osaka to Beika took about three hours.

Ran, still brimming with energy at the beginning of the ride, soon began to nod off.

Hayashi Yoshiki, however, remained alert.

A Conversation with Yoko

Checking his phone, he noticed a series of unread messages.

Yoko Okino:

"Yoshiki-kun~~""You won't believe what happened during filming today…""…""…"

She shared a string of lighthearted, day-in-the-life updates.

At the end was a key message:

"I'm finishing early today! I'll be home around 7!"

Hayashi Yoshiki replied warmly to her anecdotes, then followed up:

"I just got back from Osaka. I brought you a gift—mind if I drop it off later?"

Yoko Okino:

"Yes! Thank you, Yoshiki-kun!""I'm so excited~!"

Hayashi Yoshiki:

"Haha.""By the way… are we out of what we left at your place?"

That last line stalled the conversation.

Four minutes passed before she answered:

Yoko Okino:

"I'm not sure…"

Hayashi Yoshiki:

"Maybe you still have some. In that case, I won't buy more tonight."

Yoko Okino:

"Yoshiki-kun, please buy them!""(ǒ＿ǒ)"

Hayashi Yoshiki:

"Hmmm~~ Should I or not?"

He was referring, of course, to condoms—their recent… activities had used up quite a lot.

Hayashi Yoshiki enjoyed teasing her innocent reactions.

A Shoulder to Rest On

Suddenly, his right shoulder felt heavier.

He glanced over—

Ran had dozed off, her head resting gently against him.

"..."

Her warm breath, the soft press of her cheek against his shoulder—he could feel her heartbeat, peaceful in sleep.

Hayashi Yoshiki moved gently, mindful not to wake her.

Outside the window, the high-speed train rattled forward over the elevated tracks.

Judging by her breathing, she wouldn't be waking anytime soon.