Detective Conan: Death Note

So smoothly.

Everything proceeded exactly as expected.

However, the more things go well, the more cautious one should be.

In front of Gin, in front of Amuro Toru, in front of Conan, in front of Jodie Starling,

in front of Kevin Yoshino, and even in front of unrelated people—

Looking back, Hayashi Yoshiki had already worn too many masks, effortlessly switching among them in front of all these people.

This was not difficult for him, but that didn't mean he could let his guard down.

To seize the life he wanted firmly in his hands,

he needed to become the one who could set the rules.

To achieve this goal, Hayashi Yoshiki never hesitated to deceive and lie.

After all, he didn't think lying was a bad thing—

Humans who live their entire lives only telling the truth have never existed.

Humans were not made that perfect.

Or rather, if simply this level of lying and deception could achieve one's purpose,

That would be truly wonderful.

"The so-called 'reason' actually exists only for those who must depend on it to survive."

Beep!! Beep!!!

During the morning rush hour past eight, traffic congested the bustling streets of Mihama Town.

Looking through the rearview mirror at the impatient car behind repeatedly honking, Hayashi Yoshiki's face remained calm, not disturbed by the noise at all.

Only when the red light turned green and the car ahead began to move did he slowly step on the accelerator.

The car drove at a moderate pace into the Kindaichi Detective Agency.

Upon opening the door with a gentle smile, the first thing to greet him was the aroma of coffee.

"Good morning, BOSS."

Amuro Toru stood beside the water bar holding a freshly brewed coffee pot, greeting him: "Want a cup of coffee?"

"If I'd known you brewed coffee today, I wouldn't have bothered buying some on my way here."

"After all, it's rare to see you come this early. Otherwise, have some sandwiches I just made."

"…Why does my detective agency feel more like a café serving light meals?"

"Because Mr. Amuro is really good at making these things!"

Koshimizu Natsuki laughed.

She sat by the computer, with coffee and sandwiches already laid out nearby.

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he sat at his desk:

"Mr. Amuro, you didn't learn these skills just to stand out at matchmaking events, did you?"

"I tell you, why do you always think I'd go to matchmaking?"

"Because you'll be thirty next year."

"Thirty is still young nowadays."

Though Amuro Toru didn't care about age, he couldn't help but respond with a bit of annoyance when teased again.

Hayashi Yoshiki took a sandwich.

Sometimes, he thought this confusing state of time was pretty good...

Day after day remained stuck in the same year, yet he always felt the changes in technology around him—

in a way, a form of immortality.

At this moment, Koshimizu Natsuki stood up and handed a letter to Hayashi Yoshiki:

"Mr. Hayashi, this morning a letter was found in the agency's mailbox. Besides the letter, there was also a commission asking you to find Shinichi Kudo, who has long been missing."

"Shinichi Kudo?"

Hayashi Yoshiki took the letter with surprise but said aloud, "The agency's rules have always said I don't take missing person commissions... I'll just reply saying I'm not good at this."

"Mr. Hayashi, you're not good at missing person cases?"

Koshimizu was a little surprised.

In her eyes, Hayashi Yoshiki was basically omnipotent—

whether it was his past credentials or her own experience with the Kojima incident and the Mouri Detective Agency case...

His deductive ability was so outstanding that she couldn't help but revere him like an idol.

Tap.

Amuro Toru placed a cup of warm water on Hayashi Yoshiki's desk, smiling at Koshimizu Natsuki:

"Though he says he's not good at missing person cases, once a lady tearfully asked us to find her missing father, and in less than five minutes, he accurately deduced the father's whereabouts."

"Really? Amazing!"

Koshimizu's eyes widened in surprise.

Hayashi Yoshiki ignored them and opened another letter inside the envelope—the letter that came with the commission was not addressed to him, but to Shinichi Kudo.

He glanced at it; it was filled with criticisms of Shinichi Kudo and even mentioned mistakes in his deductions on a certain case.

Was it about the Higashi-Oomi Village case in Okuho Town outskirts?

"How should we handle this commission, BOSS?"

"I'm not interested in the commission itself, but this letter..."

Hayashi Yoshiki hesitated briefly, "Let's not deal with it for now. I'll decide later."

Oh?

Though Hayashi Yoshiki said nothing, both Amuro Tooru and Koshimizu Nanatsuki were smart—

his unusual reaction made them suspect some kind of connection or relationship with Shinichi Kudo.

But neither said a word.

The Kindaichi Detective Agency sign still rang loud.

By afternoon, Amuro Toru went out with a client who had made an appointment the day before, leaving Koshimizu Natsuki to handle some paperwork.

Hayashi Yoshiki sent a message to Conan about the commission.

Conan called immediately:

"You got that letter too?"

"Huh?"

Hayashi Yoshiki looked up at the sky, "Do you mean Uncle Mouri and Hattori got the same letter? But your voice sounds a little off."

"...Cough, cough, yes, Hattori. He just called me about this. My voice is strange because I've caught a respiratory infection these past two days."

"I see."

There was no emotion in Hayashi Yoshiki's voice, just a smile:

"So, do you need my help? The holidays are coming soon anyway; I could ask Kaito Kid to come and disguise himself as you."

"Cut it out, cough cough!"

Conan was a little annoyed.

Though he cared about the criticism of his deduction in the letter, he couldn't help but ask after glancing at the news repeating the Bunkyo Ward accident:

"So, have you found any leads about that organization and Hunter?"

"No. Gin is clearly aware that the FBI is watching this case closely. If I rush in now..."

"That's dangerous. You better not investigate this."

As soon as Conan heard danger, he spoke immediately.

Hayashi Yoshiki just smiled.

As the mastermind behind this incident, he even knew Gin's recent plan to use Chianti as bait...

But how he would proceed, Hayashi Yoshiki didn't know yet—he only thought it interesting.

Hopefully, Chianti won't blow a fuse.