Detective Conan: Death Note

"It was absolutely brilliant!" The next day, a lively, excited voice echoed in the office of the Kindaichi Detective Agency. Natsuki Koshimi

"It was absolutely brilliant!"

The next day, a lively, excited voice echoed in the office of the Kindaichi Detective Agency.

Natsuki Koshimizu beamed as she looked at Hayashi Yoshiki, who sat smiling on the sofa.

"Hearing that puts me at ease."

"I mean it! I've been following your work for a long time, and this one made my heart race!"

"So, you're a fan?"

Amuro Tōru placed teacups before them with a wry smile.

"Are you thinking something weird again, Amuro-san?"

"Of course not."

"But your eyes tell a different story."

Natsuki tilted her head in confusion, not understanding their exchange.

Ignoring him, Hayashi Yoshiki asked with a gentle smile:

"So, what are your plans now, Miss Koshimizu?"

"First, I want to thank you, Mr. Hayashi. If you hadn't seen through that trick at the time, I might have done something irreversible."

"After spending these past days cooling my head, I realized how irrational I was, blinded by anger and hatred. It wasn't until Tokitsu Junya died that I finally saw how foolish my thoughts had been."

Natsuki spoke with remarkable calm as she recounted her emotional journey.

Amuro watched, a smile on his face.

So, he saved a girl from going down a dark path. No wonder he's the boss.

"In the end, emotions have a shelf life."

"Anger and obsession can drive a person—but once the target of hatred disappears, that directionless anger fades, leaving only emptiness."

"I'm really glad you had the chance to reflect."

Hearing this, Natsuki nodded in agreement, then hesitantly added:

"Um… I know this is selfish, but… are you looking for an assistant?"

"Oh?"

Amuro raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I've been so consumed by revenge this past year that now I don't know what else I can do. Continuing as a detective feels shameless… so I wondered if I could stay here and help in your agency. But if it's a problem, please just forget I said anything!"

"Well, Amuro-san is actually in charge of managing the agency."

"Passing the buck to me, huh?"

"You've always been great at handling the admin stuff. Whether we need another assistant to ease your workload—that's for you to decide."

"Then why not just hand over the whole agency to me?"

"Keep dreaming."

"Tch."

Natsuki chuckled quietly at their casual banter.

When she noticed Amuro looking at her intently, she tensed slightly.

Whether she stayed or not would likely depend on this "assistant" figure's judgment.

"Miss Koshimizu, right?"

"Yes!"

"You were once a well-known high school detective in Fukuoka, weren't you?"

"Yes. I've solved around a hundred cases—with no mistakes, I believe. By the way, how many cases have you solved, Amuro-san?"

Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly interjected:

"Yeah, Amuro, how many?"

"Me? At least two hundred, give or take."

"...Then why are you working as my assistant?"

"Because you keep turning down boring cases! Honestly, I'm starting to think you named the place something other than 'Hayashi Yoshiki Detective Agency' because you knew you wouldn't accept many clients."

After his rant, Amuro looked back at Natsuki.

"Things here are hectic. Having another assistant would help. But I need to make sure you're capable—so I'll have you undergo a one-month trial. Sound fair?"

"Absolutely! Please test me however you like!"

Overjoyed, Natsuki stood up energetically.

Watching her, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled warmly.

"Boss, don't think you're off the hook. You've got a dozen boxes of fan mail to sort."

"Shouldn't fan mail go to the publisher?"

"Well, you listed this agency as a public address."

In front of his loyal fan, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't complain much.

He stayed at the agency until late in the evening.

Around 9 PM, he drove to the Miwako Sun Plaza Hotel and took the elevator to the top-floor suite.

Using a spare keycard, he entered the room.

Right away, he saw a woman's clothes tossed casually on the sofa—lacey lingerie scattered in plain view.

Water could be heard running from the bathroom.

Unfazed, Hayashi Yoshiki sat down and checked messages on his phone.

Ten minutes later, the shower stopped.

A stunning woman emerged, toweling her wet hair and radiating steam.

"I thought you were going to join me in there."

Putting down his phone, Hayashi Yoshiki gazed at her fair skin wrapped in nothing but a towel.

"Strange. Weren't you the one who usually barges in on me? I was starting to think your medical reports were fake."

Vermouth approached, not for him, but for the cigarette and lighter on the table.

With a soft click, she lit her cigarette, exhaled a wisp of smoke, and looked at him with lazy amusement.

"Gin called me—told me to cooperate with your actions. What exactly are you planning?"

"A secret."

"..."

Vermouth looked genuinely amused.

She, the queen of secrets, being kept in the dark—it was not a pleasant reversal.

"In that case, maybe I should keep a few secrets from you, too."

"I wouldn't mind. But the real question is: can you keep them?"

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he pulled her gently by the arm. With a simple tug, the towel slid away perfectly.

Her enchanting figure was laid bare before his eyes.

Staring into his eyes, Vermouth licked her lips silently.

She couldn't let this man lead her by the nose.

She'd told herself that countless times.

But the sensation of dangerous ecstasy he evoked… she could never forget it.

So when he asked her to meet tonight under the guise of "discussing something," Vermouth had accepted.

"Anyway... come take a bath with me."

Hayashi Yoshiki said with a smile.

And Vermouth—this time—didn't refuse.

Especially once he pulled off his tie and started undoing the buttons of his shirt.