"Beika Public Hall Is Overflowing!"
"470,000 Copies Sold in Three Days! Hayashi Yoshiki Sets a New Record!"
"Hayashi Yoshiki & Kindaichi"
"Twists Until the Very End – A Masterpiece with Both Plot and Praise Triumphing"
"On the Networking of Detective Hayashi Yoshiki?"
Every new release, Futaba Publishing invests heavily.
From literary forums to detective magazines and entertainnt tabloids—the publisher spares no platform to promote Hayashi Yoshiki and Kindaichi.
Under a lavish marketing campaign, their nas have beco hot topics.
"Hey! Congratulations, Sensei!"
Nishimiya Nanahi's voice buzzed through the phone:
"Your latest work smashed records again!"
"Thanks, but most of the credit goes to Futaba Publishing," answered Hayashi Yoshiki.
"Don't be modest—that's all your talent!" Nishimiya replied, smiling.
"The editor-in-chief was planning to invite a well-known mystery critic tomorrow—but your network is so wide, we'll wait three days to invite reviews."
"Understood. Please pass my thanks to him. I'll treat you to dinner next ti, Editor Nanahi."
After exchanging pleasantries, Hayashi Yoshiki hung up.
Nanahi's reference to his "network" referred to public endorsents from industry figures over the past days.
Scrolling through detective forums, he found reposts from professionals praising the latest novel:
Kaori Shini:
"Incredible twist at the end, absolutely unexpected—building suspense on a cri beneath the cri. A stunning exploration of greed and desire!"
Yusaku Kudō:
"A masterful work, Hayashi-kun. The final twist is superb. Dual narrative structure—Kindaichi solving the obvious cri, Yoichi Takato peeling back darkness beneath—depth is exceptional. Yoichi Takato's character shines brightest."
High school detective Hattori Heiji:
"You bastard, Hayashi Yoshiki—you fooled again!"
Detective Hakuba Saguru:
"Truly a work worthy of Hayashi-kun's na…"
Expecting a displeased call from Osaka, Hayashi Yoshiki began muting his phone once "Hattori Heiji" flashed on screen.
Next, he turned to Seiran Hoshi sitting nearby.
"Miss Seiran, have you sorted the FBI agent's movents?"
"Yes." She handed him a report.
"She's been observed trailing a certain man—staged a collision to steal his keys and return them later."
"In person?"
"Yes. I believe she used molds to copy the keys. After that, she broke into the Miya Tower apartnt."
"Makes sense."
"Jodie will likely investigate the agents on your list—this concerns whether Jas Black betrayed us. She will act alone, so you can't predict her targets. That's why I need to tail her quietly."
Unlike Amuro—who's quick to provoke under sniper sight—Jodie doesn't play that way. Just knowing her route is enough.
Break-ins... data theft... maybe plant a bug?
While thinking, Hayashi Yoshiki gave Seiran a soft smile.
"Thank you, Seiran. You've done well... and I'll need you to continue surveillance, okay?"
Before she could answer, he added gently:
"After this finishes, let's take a few days at the beach, shall we?"
"The beach...?"
"Yes. You've spent ti in Russia—it's cold there. It'd be nice for you to enjoy so sumr warmth."
Seiran drew in breath, smiled quietly, answered "Yes," and left.
Hayashi Yoshiki leaned back, contemplating his next moves.
Publicly, nothing more was needed from him—but that didn't an he could afford to wait passively.
Inside the FBI, things must be tense.
Since Akai Shuichi never appeared during the Rena Mizunashi incident, many agents were on edge.
Even Rena worked hard... but Akai, the star agent, vanished.
And Jas Black seed to be covering for that.
That gave Hayashi Yoshiki clarity.
He took out his phone and called Gin:
"It's ."
The voice on the other end was cool, as always.
"I have sothing to discuss with you."
He laid out his idea.
After hearing it, Gin's tone brightened:
"Alright. Proceed as planned."
"OK."
"But is it noisy on your end?"
"It's Chianti."
Gin glanced toward a raging Chianti flipping out over Korn and Hayashi Yoshiki's book,
"Because of Korn... and your book."
Hayashi Yoshiki could picture it perfectly.
But then ca an unexpected response:
"This story... is rather interesting."
"Shall I sign you a copy?"
Beep… beep… beep…
Gin hung up without a word.
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