Hiko had already prepared to retreat before dropping the items, so when Ichigo got angry, he immediately ran out of the dance studio.
At present, he and Ichigo had agreed on a training bet.
If he stayed near Ai, her learning ability would improve.
That had been his plan from the start.
Provoking Ichigo in this way was only to make his departure seem less deliberate.
After leaving the dance studio, Hiko went to Ichigo's office, turned on the computer, and began searching for information to study.
This was to test whether the aura's boost could still be triggered at the current distance.
After studying for more than ten minutes, he recorded the information he found, as if he fully understood it.
The distance could still trigger the effect.
Hiko felt helpless.
It seemed he couldn't come here often, so he recorded all the contact information stored on Ichigo's computer.
That was enough for today.
Hiko realized he shouldn't stay at the company any longer and immediately returned to the dance studio.
"Uncle, Ai, I'm heading back first."
He informed the two of them that he was going home early.
"Hurry up and leave!" Ichigo urged him ruthlessly.
Ai just nodded, showing that she understood.
Hiko then returned home alone. After arriving, he turned on his computer and searched for information on the newly acquired contacts.
Yamashita Taro, Koyama Ichiro, Fujimoto Sora, Matsui Hide... Hiko repeatedly searched on his computer, but the entries retrieved were severely incomplete, with very little information.
The people he could directly search for were far from the target individuals he had hypothesized.
He went through all the newly acquired contacts several times but couldn't find any suspects resembling the mastermind.
The list appeared to be clients of Ichigo-Pro, mostly people in their thirties, forties, or older.
I still need to find a channel to get information. Relying on myself to search like this is too slow.
Hiko first thought of a private detective, but then reconsidered: he didn't even know the target person's characteristics, age, or appearance.
No! I can have them compile a list of everyone currently in the entertainment industry, along with photos. When I see it, I might be able to narrow down the scope based on appearances and investigate further.
Although he could slowly investigate everyone in the current entertainment industry himself, it would take far too long.
It would be faster to commission it.
Suddenly, he realized he didn't have the contact information of a private detective, so he called Ichigo to ask.
"What? You want to find a private detective? What exactly are you trying to do?" Ichigo was curious why Hiko was asking for a reliable detective. Why would a twelve-year-old child need one?
"You don't need to worry so much, just give me their contact information," Hiko replied directly. "If you don't, I'll find it myself."
"I'm really scared of you, you little devil. I don't know who you learned that from," Ichigo said helplessly, then added, "I do know a friend who's a detective, around my age, named Hasegawa. His number is..."
After getting the number, Hiko immediately dialed it. "Excuse me, is this Mr. Hasegawa?"
"This is Hasegawa." A weathered male voice came over the phone. "How can I help you?"
"I'd like to ask you to collect some information. Are you free?" Hiko replied.
"Are you looking for me to dig up dirt on someone, catch someone cheating, or something like that?" The other end, upon hearing the request, skillfully listed the usual options.
"No, I just want you to collect some information. I don't need you to follow anyone or investigate them." Hiko stated his request directly.
"Collecting information? Isn't that something anyone can do?"
"Yes."
"My prices aren't cheap. If it's just simple information gathering, I suggest you find someone else." The detective seemed uninterested in anything outside investigations.
Hiko thought about it. If anyone could do it, wouldn't having company employees handle it save costs?
"You're right, I should find someone else," Hiko replied with a grateful tone. "I'll find others to do this work."
"No, no, no! Big brother, don't hang up!" The other end instantly grew flustered, quickly pleading with him not to disconnect.
Hiko paused, curious what he was going to say. "Is there something you need?"
"I think since you thought of hiring a detective, it means your subconscious believes you can't get the information yourself, or that it's particularly troublesome and you don't have the time," Hasegawa quickly analyzed, seizing the opportunity to keep the client.
"Hm, you're right. But I think collecting information on some people is something anyone can do; it just takes time," Hiko answered with a nod.
But the reality wasn't as simple. In Japan, it wasn't allowed to take and keep photos without the subject's consent, and if reported, the photographer could be fined heavily.
Therefore, if this were handed to company employees, the collected information wouldn't be complete.
Hiko's excuse was only meant to drive down the price.
"If you hire me, I'll organize everything clearly, and I can even dig up some obscure records," Hasegawa persuaded, emphasizing the quality of his work.
"I want you to compile a list of current entertainment industry members, and each person's profile must include a photo," Hiko requested. "So, what's your price? If you ask for too much, I'll find someone else."
"Current entertainment industry members?" Hasegawa confirmed. "You don't mean everyone in Japan's entertainment industry, or even former members, do you?"
"All artists, directors, and investors in the entertainment industry across Japan under forty years old. For a job like this, what's your price?" Hiko replied.
Hasegawa went silent for a moment at the sheer scope of the task before answering, "Ten million yen! I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
"I don't need you to investigate the intimate details of their lives. I just need their names with photos attached," Hiko bargained. "Anyone can do that, right?"