"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.
"Only one target? Is that enough?"
Hayashi Yoshiki had no idea what Gin was thinking.
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?"
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."