"Who would have thought this silly dog was such a hopeless romantic?" Hayashi Shuichi teased with a chuckle, looking at Wangcai's reluctant, lingering gaze.
"Finding a beautiful young girl to be your apprentice... you must be feeling pretty smug right now, aren't you?" Eri Kisaki, who had been trying her best to act normal since that afternoon, finally couldn't hold back the sour note of jealousy in her voice.
"I'm just teaching her how to cook. It has nothing to do with whether she's pretty or not," Shuichi defended himself, then quickly changed the subject. "Come on, I'll walk you home."
The two were just about to leave when a young man walked up to the entrance of the Izakaya. "Huh? Closing so early?"
Shuichi turned to look. The speaker was a young man wearing a Kendo uniform. His skin was incredibly dark; if not for his facial structure and features being distinctly Asian, Shuichi might have suspected he was of African descent.
"Sorry, our shop's business hours are from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM," Shuichi said. "We are closed for the day."
The dark-skinned young man looked Shuichi up and down before asking, "Are you the owner of this shop? The high school detective named Hayashi Shuichi?"
"Yes." Shuichi frowned slightly, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes. "You're looking for me?"
"That's right." The young man's lips curled into a bright grin. "I heard you were the one who discovered the body in the concrete pillar at the construction site yesterday. I wanted to come and ask about the situation."
"You aren't a police officer, so why ask about such things?" Eri huffed impatiently, her expression filled with disdain. "Shuichi doesn't have time right now."
"Sorry, I have to walk my girlfriend home," Shuichi waved his hand dismissively.
"Then I'll just wait for you here," the young man said with resolute determination, showing absolutely no intention of leaving.
"Who is that guy?" Eri asked in confusion on the way home. "Normal people usually try to stay as far away from murder cases as possible, don't they?"
"You said it yourself—'normal people,'" Shuichi laughed. "This world will always have people whose brains aren't quite normal, especially those detectives."
"Does that include you?" Eri asked, amused. "Every time there's a case, you always rush right in."
"I'm different from those detectives who actively chase after cases," Shuichi smiled.
"That person just now was wearing a Kendo uniform, and his accent was from the Kansai region," Eri mused. "He must be here to participate in that Kendo tournament, right?"
"Yeah," Shuichi nodded.
Recalling the dark face and the narrowing fox-like eyes of the young man, Shuichi's steps involuntarily slowed down.
Earlier in the shop, he had met Hattori Heiji's mother, Shizuka Ikenami.
This guy who came later... could it be Hattori Heiji's father, Hattori Heizo?
Is this too much of a coincidence?
"What are you thinking about now?" Seeing Shuichi distracted, Eri poked him unhappily. "Even walking me home, you're absent-minded. Men really don't cherish what they have once they get it. The TV dramas were right."
"I was just thinking about that guy from earlier." Shuichi reached out and wrapped his arm around the girl's slender waist, his face full of doting affection. "How could I dare not cherish you? What if you decide to find another pair of handcuffs..."
"Can't you just not bring up that day?" Eri glared at her lover in embarrassment and annoyance. Then, with a slightly flushed face, she whispered, "My mom and dad aren't home tonight..."
She stopped halfway through her sentence, falling silent, but stole a glance at Shuichi with eyes full of anticipation.
Shuichi immediately understood. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he pulled the girl along, quickening his pace. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's move!"
"But didn't that guy say he would wait for you at the Izakaya?" Eri hesitated. "Maybe we should forget about it for tonight?"
Shuichi waved his hand indifferently. "If he wants to wait, that's his business. I never agreed to meet him. When he realizes no one is coming, he'll leave naturally."
Beika Grand Hotel.
After Shizuka Ikenami and her teammates returned from the Izakaya, their team coach instructed them to sleep early and get plenty of rest.
"Tomorrow morning, we are up against Kyoto University. They have a member named Hattori Heizo on their team. He is very formidable, and his swordsmanship is exquisite. Ikenami, I'm leaving him to you!"
"Understood, Sensei." Shizuka looked calm and nodded gently.
"Sigh, I want to fight against Ikenami too," a teammate joked half-heartedly. "After all, if you win against her, you get to be her boyfriend."
"I said that if someone can beat me, I would consider letting them be my boyfriend," Shizuka's lips curved slightly as she chuckled softly. "I never said it was a guarantee."
"That's still better than having no chance at all," her companion responded with a laugh.
After joking around for a bit, everyone returned to their rooms.
After taking a shower, Shizuka changed into loose pajamas and went to the window.
Outside, the night view of Beika was bustling and brilliant, with heavy traffic and flashing lights.
She crossed her arms, gazing quietly out the window, the coach's words replaying in her mind.
Hattori Heizo... No matter how strong you are, I will definitely defeat you tomorrow!
A look of determination flashed in Shizuka's eyes as she clenched her fist tightly and pumped it in the air.
As long as we win the national championship this year, I can continue to compete next year and see Tsubaki Michiko again.
At this thought, a raging fighting spirit ignited in the girl's eyes.
When she was twelve, she had unexpectedly lost a Kendo match to Tsubaki Michiko, a student one grade below her.
The highly competitive Shizuka Ikenami had shed tears over taking second place.
Tsubaki... until I defeat you, I will absolutely not lose again!
Shizuka swore silently in her heart.
The next morning.
The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the city was still shrouded in a thin layer of mist.
The streets were deserted, with few pedestrians. Occasionally, a car would drive by slowly, emitting a low hum.
Yawning, Hayashi Shuichi walked toward his home. As soon as he arrived downstairs at the Mouri residence, he saw an unexpected figure.
The dark-skinned young man from the night before hadn't left. He was leaning against the door of the Izakaya, eyes closed, resting.
His hair was a bit messy, and his clothes were slightly wrinkled and damp with the morning dew.
No way. Is he that stubborn?
Shuichi frowned, feeling a headache coming on, a look of helplessness on his face.
Hearing the movement, the dark-skinned young man opened his bloodshot eyes slightly.
"Sorry, came back a bit late," Shuichi gave a dry laugh, taking the keys from his pocket to open the Izakaya door.
"It is indeed a bit late!" the young man said expressionlessly, glancing at the rising sun.
The two walked into the Izakaya one after the other. Shuichi motioned for the young man to sit at the counter, then took out some tea leaves, brewed a cup of hot tea, and handed it to him. "I thought you would have gone back when I didn't show up."
"I asked around. You live on the second floor of this building. I assumed you would definitely come back at night," the young man said with a stiff face. "I failed to account for the fact that you have a girlfriend."
Shuichi smiled apologetically. "As an apology, the shop is offering a special breakfast today. What would you like to eat?"
"Okonomiyaki. Is that possible?" the young man asked.
"You're ordering that too?" Shuichi was surprised and laughed. "A girl ordered Okonomiyaki last night as well. Coincidentally, she's also here for the Kendo tournament."
"Is that so?" The young man yawned and rubbed his narrowed eyes. "Can you make me a cup of strong coffee? I have a match this morning."
After brewing him an extra-strong coffee, Shuichi began making the Okonomiyaki at the cooking station.
"That female corpse in the cement pillar..." the dark-skinned young man couldn't help but prompt.
"If you want to ask about that, I need to know your name first," Shuichi raised an eyebrow. "Information about many cases is classified police intelligence."
"Apologies, that was rude of me."
The young man stood up, bowed slightly, then took out his student ID from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.
"I am Hattori Heizo, a student at Kyoto University. My hobbies are case investigation and deduction."
It really is him!
Shuichi glanced at the student ID and handed it back.
Then, while making the Okonomiyaki, he began to brief him on the case.
"Yesterday... no, the afternoon before yesterday, a female corpse, roughly fifteen or sixteen years old, was found in the cement..."
"Because of decomposition, the identity couldn't be determined," Hattori Heizo frowned, his expression grave. "Even though the cause of death was suffocation from strangulation, the murderer specifically destroyed the corpse's abdomen. Is he trying to cover something up? Did the missing girl have a special mark on her abdomen?"
This guy's reaction speed is really fast...
Shuichi placed the finished Okonomiyaki in front of Heizo.
"Not long ago, that girl had an abortion at an illegal clinic. As far as I know, her recovery wasn't going well, and she even visited a medium for a divination regarding abdominal pain."
"The killer destroyed the victim's abdomen to cover that up?" Heizo's frown deepened. "But if the deceased isn't the missing girl, who could it be?"
"That remains unclear," Shuichi shrugged. "Investigation Division One is already checking if there are other missing girls of similar age. There should be results soon."
Heizo nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and put a piece of Okonomiyaki into his mouth. His tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed significantly.
"This taste is almost exactly the same as in Osaka..."
"The girl who ordered Okonomiyaki last night said the same thing," Shuichi laughed. "Although I learned it from a TV program, I'm quite happy to be validated by you locals."
After breakfast, Heizo was about to pay, but Shuichi quickly stopped him. "No need. Like I said earlier, this is an apology for making you wait all night."
"...Thank you for the meal." Heizo paused for a moment. "If there are any developments in the case, please allow me to disturb you again."
"Are you free these next few days?" Shuichi asked curiously.
"Aside from the Kendo competition, I have nothing else to do in Tokyo," Heizo replied.
"In that case, how about I recommend you to Investigation Division One to help out?" Shuichi asked. "Would you be willing?"
"Of course I would!" A flash of surprise lit up Heizo's eyes, and he nodded vigorously. "My dream since childhood has been to become a police detective."
Immediately after, he hesitated slightly. "But, isn't this case yours..."
"I'm not one of those detectives who needs a solve rate to boost their value," Shuichi waved his hand dismissively. "Compared to the fame gained after solving a case, I hope the truth is revealed sooner, the murderer is brought to justice, and the victim's grievances are laid to rest."
"I didn't expect your way of thinking to be so similar to mine," Heizo was quite surprised. "Before I came, I thought you were like those other detectives who use investigations as capital to gain fame."
Speaking of this, he scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Because of what happened last night, I originally planned to defeat you in the investigation of this case and make you lose a bit of face..."
"If Ruko Nagashima is still alive, and we can save her as soon as possible, I don't mind losing a little face," Shuichi said righteously. "Compared to reputation and face, human life is the most important thing."
Heizo looked at the boy who was a few years younger than him, a look of admiration appearing on his face. He nodded firmly. "I won't let you down. If that girl is still alive, I will definitely save her!"
Shuichi called Investigation Division One. Less than half an hour later, Inspector Megure drove over in a police car. "Lin-kun, are you coming to help Division One today?"
"You misunderstand, Inspector," Shuichi pointed to the dark-skinned youth beside him. "This is Hattori Heizo, a student from Kyoto University. He is very skilled in case investigation and deduction, and he happens to have time recently. I wanted to recommend him to help you."
"Him?"
Inspector Megure glanced at Heizo in his Kendo uniform, then hurriedly pulled Shuichi aside.
"Lin-kun, is he really up to it? Maybe it's better if you personally..."
"Inspector Megure, don't forget I'm still a high school student," Shuichi reminded him. "I've already been absent several times in the last two weeks. If I take more leave, the school won't be happy."
"That is true," Inspector Megure sighed. "If only you could graduate sooner."
"Hattori Heizo's deductive ability is on par with Yusaku Kudo," Shuichi patted his chest in assurance. "With his help, this case will definitely be solved."
"Alright then," Inspector Megure had no choice but to trust Shuichi. He turned to the dark-skinned youth. "We are heading to investigate Teacher Kitamura now. Come with me."
"This..."
Heizo checked the time. If he left with the police now, he would definitely miss the Kendo match.
He was about to refuse, but then he remembered what Shuichi had just said: Compared to reputation and face, human life is the most important thing!
Thinking of this, Heizo hesitated no longer and nodded immediately.
After sending off Inspector Megure and Hattori Heizo, Shuichi finally let out a sigh of relief.
He had wanted to help with Ruko Nagashima's case, but he really couldn't spare the time. Now that Hattori Heizo was on the job, it shouldn't be a problem.
After all, this guy's deductive ability was far superior to Shinichi Kudo and Heiji Hattori. He just wondered who was more skilled between Heizo and Yusaku Kudo?
8:00 AM. Venue of the All-Japan Student Kendo Championship.
The members of the Osaka University Kendo Club had arrived early and were warming up with bamboo swords on the sidelines.
However, the opposing Kyoto University team seemed to be having problems. The leading teacher was pacing around anxiously, occasionally scolding the students...
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