Here's a revised version of Chapter 2: So Unprofessional, with the name change from Lin XiuYi to Hayashi Shuichi and edits for smoother prose, improved dialogue flow, and enhanced clarity while maintaining the original tone and structure. I've polished awkward phrasing, tightened pacing, and ensured character interactions feel natural and consistent with their personalities. Additionally, I've addressed minor inconsistencies and enhanced the narrative to make it more engaging.
Chapter 2: So Unprofessional
Seeing Inspector Megure's flustered expression, Hayashi Shuichi eased off his teasing and answered the questions earnestly, detailing how they discovered the body that morning.
Next, Eri Kisaki and Kogoro Mouri gave their statements. Unlike Shuichi, they stuck to the facts, recounting what they'd seen without embellishment.
After the questioning, the three teens were told to stay put. They lingered in the alley, watching the detectives work.
Eri observed intently, hoping to glean something from the investigation.
Kogoro's eyes sparkled with longing, but a sudden thought struck him, and a triumphant grin spread across his face.
Shuichi, however, frowned. In his eyes, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's detectives were far from impressive—nothing like the polished investigators from his original world.
Then again, this was over twenty years before the main timeline of Detective Conan. Investigative protocols and forensic standards were still rudimentary, far less refined than they'd become in the future.
…
"Inspector, we've got a new witness!"
Officer Morimura, the thick-browed detective sent to canvass the area, returned with a slender, medium-height man sporting short hair.
"This is Mr. Kato, a diving coach from the nearby swimming center. He says he saw two people arguing here around eleven last night."
"Matsumoto, have him confirm the body," Inspector Samezaki ordered.
The broad-chinned officer who'd been examining the body with forensics stepped forward and led Coach Kato to the corpse.
As the white cloth was lifted, Kato's face paled. "Kitamura! It's him! I wasn't mistaken—he was arguing with someone at the intersection last night."
"You knew him?" Inspector Megure asked, notebook ready.
"Yes, Kitamura Shinya, a member of our diving team," Kato said, irritation flashing across his face. "He's our ace. The competition's in two days, and now this happens. The team's performance is going to tank."
"Where exactly did you see him arguing?" Inspector Samezaki pressed.
"Last night, after the swimming center closed around eleven, I was practicing dives alone," Kato recalled. "I climbed the diving board, ready to jump, when I spotted Kitamura arguing with someone at the intersection. He shoved the other person, they started wrestling, and then they disappeared into this alley. I couldn't see them after that."
"He's your team's ace, and you didn't check on him after seeing him fight?" Inspector Samezaki asked, frowning.
"I did," Kato insisted. "When I saw them fighting, I jumped off the board, changed, and ran over. But when I reached the alley entrance, it was empty. I figured they'd left, so I didn't go in." He slapped his own face, leaving a red mark. "If I'd checked properly, maybe Kitamura would still be…"
"Mr. Kato, this isn't your fault," Inspector Megure said quickly, cutting off the coach's self-blame. "How was Kitamura's personality? Any recent conflicts?"
"Kitamura was… flashy," Kato said after a pause. "He clashed with the other two diving team members. Even I had a spat with him two days ago."
"Over what?" Inspector Samezaki asked.
"Nothing major," Kato said, shaking his head. "I'm a coach now, but as an athlete, I didn't win much—not like Kitamura. He mocked me a few times, saying I wasn't fit to coach him. We argued, but we patched things up yesterday. He even joined the team for training."
"Is that so?" Inspector Samezaki nodded, unconvinced, and waved over Officer Morimura. "Check the diving board at the swimming center. See if you can clearly view the intersection from there."
"Yes, sir!" Morimura headed off.
…
"Are you suspecting Mr. Kato?" Inspector Megure whispered to Samezaki. "He doesn't seem like the murderer. His reaction to the body didn't look fake…"
"What, you think a killer would wear their guilt on their face?" Samezaki snapped. "Don't be naive, Megure."
"…I just mean he has no motive," Megure mumbled. "Kitamura's the team's star. If he wins the competition, Kato benefits as his coach. The other two divers, though—they might've been jealous of Kitamura's talent."
"We're police, Megure," Samezaki said sternly. "We follow evidence, not hunches."
"You're right, I overstepped," Megure said, chastened.
"But," Samezaki added, softening, "your point about the other divers isn't baseless. Why don't you look into them?"
"Really?" Megure's face lit up, but before he could respond, a voice cut in.
"Officers, you don't need to investigate anyone else. Mr. Kato is likely the murderer."
It was Hayashi Shuichi.
Inspector Megure opened his mouth to argue, but Samezaki beat him to it, his tone sharp. "You're the kid who found the body? This is police business—stay out of it. Don't spout nonsense."
"Shuichi," Eri whispered, tugging his arm, "the officer's right. This isn't our place."
"Yeah," Kogoro chimed in. "These are professionals from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's First Division!"
"If your 'professionals' were doing their job properly, I'd stay quiet," Shuichi retorted, crossing his arms. "But the murderer's already slipped up, and you haven't noticed a thing. I'm not going to stand here like an idiot waiting for your so-called results."