Chapter 11: A Name Has Weight
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Clear gunshots echoed in the underground shooting range.
"Reload, continue."
Hayashi Yoshiki followed the instructions, removed the magazine from the M9 pistol in his hand, and pressed the bullets into it as quickly as possible.
"Hurry up!!"
The coach, with a stern face, urged loudly.
After reloading and cocking the gun, Hayashi Yoshiki raised his pistol again, aimed at the target, and pulled the trigger without being told.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
[Assassin: Specialization Experience +3]
[Assassin: Experience +3]
[Assassin: Experience +3]
The muzzle flash illuminated the flying shell casings, and brass-colored bullets continuously pierced through the paper target, leaving one bullet hole after another.
"Your accuracy is good, but your arm movement is still stiff."
"This is only for a stationary target. If it were a moving target, or even a person who could make various actions, your starting and trigger-pulling movements would be too rigid."
"...It is indeed a bit difficult."
Facing the coach's cold pointers, Hayashi Yoshiki's face showed a slight, troubled smile.
The coach scoffed in response.
He actually quite looked down on this kid's gentle, soft appearance.
He also didn't understand why Gin-sama valued him so much.
However, his skills were indeed quite good. Although his strength was a bit lacking, at least his reaction speed was very fast…
After a few more rounds of practice,
"That's enough shooting practice for today. You can leave."
"Alright, but before I leave, could I trouble you to sign here, coach?"
Suddenly taking out paper and a pen, Hayashi Yoshiki asked with a beaming smile.
"What?"
"I have a habit of collecting people's names. Sometimes when I meet interesting people, I can't help myself."
The fierce-faced man was somewhat speechless.
"Nonsense."
Although he said that, facing the constantly smiling Hayashi Yoshiki, he still wrote his name—because Gin-sama had instructed him to try his best to satisfy this kid's requests.
Hayashi Yoshiki, who had obtained the name, continued to smile.
Only that smile seemed to have undergone a subtle change.
"This isn't nonsense at all."
"A name has weight; it carries a person's entire life… It's not an exaggeration to say it's equivalent to life."
What foolish talk?
The man paused, then sneered dismissively, leaving as if he couldn't be bothered to stay any longer.
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't intend to stay long either.
After cleaning himself to ensure no gunpowder smell remained, he left the underground training ground.
At this time, almost a week had passed since that autograph session, and nothing special had happened during that period.
Gin was also very quiet.
What was more worth celebrating was that, thanks to Futaba Publishing's vigorous promotion, Hayashi Yoshiki's newly released work was very well-received, and his personal popularity was also rising steadily.
The main reason was that his appearance at the autograph session that day attracted a large number of female fans. Futaba Publishing even used this as a selling point for extensive promotion… It was almost as if they were about to print Hayashi Yoshiki's photo on the new book's cover and sell it.
Additionally, Yoko Okino's appearance at the autograph session that day also made it onto entertainment newspapers, which indeed brought a lot of traffic to Hayashi Yoshiki.
Apparently, among the current female fan base, quite a few hoped that Hayashi Yoshiki could debut as an idol… Even Yoko Okino's manager, Yamagishi Sakae, who left his business card that day, would call from time to time to inquire if he had any intention of entering the entertainment industry.
Ring-a-ling-ling! Ring-a-ling-ling!
"Hello, it's me."
"Excuse me, Hayashi-sensei, it's Asamiya Nanae."
"Good afternoon, Ms. Asamiya."
"Good afternoon, Hayashi-sensei. The reason for this sudden call is that our publishing house plans to have you participate in a Detective program on Nichimai TV Station. What do you think?"
"A Detective program… Could you elaborate?"
"Certainly. It's 'All Japan Detective Agency Unit,' broadcast on Nichimai TV Station every weekend evening. The content involves the program host revealing difficult cases sent in by people nationwide, and occasionally, some celebrities are invited to participate in the recording."
"That sounds interesting."
"After all, Hayashi-sensei is a mystery novelist, so participating in this program is a perfect fit. Moreover, this program is very famous and will be very helpful for promotion."
"I understand. Could I give you my answer after I go back and watch the program?"
"Certainly. I'll await your news then."
He hung up the phone, keeping the matter in mind.
Then Hayashi Yoshiki took a taxi back to Beika Second Apartment.
After going upstairs, he didn't return to his own rented apartment but went to the opposite door and pressed the doorbell.
Click—
The door pushed open, and Eri Kisaki stood behind it.
"Come in, Yoshiki-kun."
"Okay."
"Did you go out for exercise again? Are you tired?"
"A little." Hayashi Yoshiki said as he changed into his indoor slippers, "But I've been very leisurely lately, so I should exercise more."
"Hmm, I think boys who like to exercise are very appealing."
Eri Kisaki turned her head and revealed a graceful smile.
Although her features indeed exuded the unique charm of a mature woman, she truly didn't look like she had a high school-aged daughter at all. Not only was her face beautiful, but her skin was also moist, and she had a full figure with no excess fat whatsoever—it seemed her entire being exuded a strong feminine aura.
"Auntie Eri, were you watching TV just now?"
"Actually, I was mainly on the phone with Ran." Eri Kisaki poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Hayashi Yoshiki: "Speaking of which, she just asked me the day before yesterday if she still had a cousin like you, saying that she happened to run into your autograph session when she accompanied a friend to the bookstore that day."
"That day was indeed quite a coincidence. Although we only met once, I could tell that Ran is a very excellent girl."
"Why do you sound so old-fashioned? You're only a few years older than her." Eri Kisaki couldn't help but laugh as she said this, "Oh, by the way, Yoshiki-kun, if you don't mind, you can also play more with Ran and her friends sometimes. People shouldn't stay at home all day long… And with you by her side, I'd be much more at ease."
"Hmm, if there's a chance."
"I heard her say she's going to Toro Tropical Land this Sunday. Are you interested, Yoshiki-kun?"
Seeing that Hayashi Yoshiki didn't refuse, Eri Kisaki seemed quite happy.
Mainly, she knew that her daughter seemed to be somewhat revolving around Yukiko's child…
After all, they were childhood friends, and Eri Kisaki could understand that. Moreover, Shinichi Kudo was a child she had watched grow up, and his personal ability and character were indeed good… But the only drawback was that he was a high school Detective, always rushing headlong into cases whenever he encountered one, and sometimes even a bit reckless.
Also, due to the influence of a certain person, Eri Kisaki now had a bit of a disdain for the Detective profession.
Compared to that, Yoshiki-kun was indeed more reassuring.
His personality was gentle, he was polite in his interactions with others, and his abilities were also very outstanding… Especially his appearance was so excellent; Eri Kisaki couldn't find any fault to pick.
"I am a little interested, but this Sunday I should be recording a program."
"A program?"
"Yes, 'All Japan Detective Agency Unit' on Mihua TV Station, Ms. Asamiya just called about it."
"That program, huh."
Eri Kisaki's eyes lit up, and she smiled: "I'll be sure to pay close attention then, Auntie."
"Okay, perhaps they'll give out audience seats then. I'll do my best to perform well."
Hayashi Yoshiki responded with a smile.
However, at this moment, he was thinking more about "Toro Tropical Land." If nothing unexpected happened, the plot would begin very soon.
...
To be continued..