The incident of the groom poisoning the bride appeared in the newspapers the next day.
This case quickly beca a hot topic, likely because the story was dramatic, emotionally charged, and involved a police oversight from twenty years ago.
Hayashi Yoshiki's na and photograph once again appeared in the press.
That afternoon, he returned to the cardiology departnt of Beika Pharmaceutical Hospital for his scheduled therapy session.
"I haven't seen you in a week. Mr. Hayashi has beco even more famous," said Kyousuke Fudo, dressed in a white coat, as he entered the consultation room with a smile. "At this rate, your signature on my dical chart might beco valuable."
"Then why not use that signature as paynt for today's session?"
"Haha, I'll keep that in mind."
Fudo Kyousuke laughed warmly.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he glanced at the clock and shifted into a more professional tone. "Has your condition improved this past week?"
"It hasn't improved, but it hasn't worsened either."
"Hmm... As we discussed earlier, the ti disorientation has been ongoing for quite a while. It's not sothing that clears up overnight."Fudo Kyousuke wasn't surprised. "No deterioration refers to all your cognitive and emotional functions as well, right? Including mory and mood?"
"Yes, nothing's changed."
"I must say, I envy you a little, Mr. Hayashi. According to the test results, your ntal and emotional health are exceptionally stable."
"..."
"Do you feel like the ti disorientation affects your daily life significantly?"
"It would be a lie to say it hasn't affected . But recently, soone's been helping by reminding of the date each night. Do you think that could be problematic, Dr. Fudo?"
"Not necessarily. But even when soone tells you tomorrow's date, you still can't ntally connect it to today's date, right?"
"Exactly."
"Understood."
Fudo Kyousuke nodded, jotting sothing down in the dical file.
Hayashi Yoshiki took a sip of water from the glass beside him.
When he confird that five minutes had passed since entering the office—ample ti for the hypnotic gas to fill the room—he activated the red light pattern on his ring and began subtle visual hypnosis.
Fudo Kyousuke paused mid-sentence.
"Dr. Fudo, from a psychological perspective, how influential are nas?"
"Nas are a fascinating and complex subject," replied Fudo Kyousuke.
As Hayashi asked for further explanation, Fudo elaborated:
"First, a person's na carries psychological weight. I've seen patients try to change their personalities by legally changing their nas."
"This is supported by psychology. A new na can serve as a personal cue or symbolic rebirth."
"Second, a na functions as a personal identifier. As an emotional symbol, it becos internalized during early childhood and is reinforced throughout life..."
Kyousuke Fudo continued to speak in detail.
He was a skilled communicator—a trait that made him a highly effective psychologist.
Hayashi Yoshiki absorbed the information while evaluating his subject.
After Fudo paused, Yoshiki posed another question:"If soone has lived with their na for twenty or thirty years and suddenly changes it, which na do you think their subconscious recognizes more strongly?"
"Consciously, they might identify with the new na," said Fudo,
"But the subconscious retains the imprint of the original na."
"For example, a person called by a childhood nickna might not have heard it in decades, but if a familiar voice calls it out, they'll instinctively turn around. That reaction is embedded in the subconscious."
Hayashi Yoshiki nodded slowly.
The imprint of a na ran deep in the subconscious and couldn't be erased easily.
But what about under hypnosis?
As he touched the ring on his index finger, a thought ford.
"Are you satisfied with your current na, Dr. Fudo?"
"My na? It's fine. I've never had a problem with it."
"Have you ever wanted to live under a different na?"
"Perhaps when I was younger. I considered sothing flashier back in school, but that phase passed."
"I see. Still, you're a remarkable person, Dr. Fudo. A simple na like 'Kyousuke' feels almost too plain."
"Is that so?"
Kyousuke Fudo was, in fact, a murderer hiding in plain sight.
Hayashi Yoshiki rembered this vaguely.
Ever since acquiring the Spider's illusion equipnt and confirming its ability to induce deep hypnosis, he had been waiting for a chance to test a very specific theory related to the Death Note.
Would the notebook's fatal effect still work if the target no longer recognized their original na?
Would the Death Note judge based on the na society knows, or on the one embedded in the victim's subconscious?
And what if, over the course of the 23-day window allowed by the Death Note, the target was repeatedly hypnotized to forget their na and accept a new one?
Could they, theoretically, survive?
Hayashi Yoshiki wanted to find out.
It wouldn't be sothing to test all at once—but over ti, using sessions like this, he could influence the mind of Kyousuke Fudo, conditioning him to forget his original na and adopt a false one.
That would tell him everything.
After the session, which lasted about an hour, Hayashi Yoshiki left Beika Pharmaceutical Hospital and headed to the parking lot.
He fastened his seatbelt and started the engine.
Before driving off, he pulled out his phone and sent a ssage:
Hayashi Yoshiki: "The doctor says I'm in perfect health. Nothing to worry about."
Gin: "OK."
Gin: "I've found several potential rental spaces for your detective agency in Beika City. Sent the addresses and photos to your email."
Huh?
He even handled such minor tasks?
Hayashi Yoshiki was slightly surprised.
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