Chapter 13: The Host with Strong Killing Intent
"Constantly imagining murder methods and the state of the victim's death… Heh, that explains it."
Inside a dimly lit bar.
Gin and Vodka seemed to have nothing to do and were currently watching the program on the TV at the bar counter— "All Japan Detective Agency Unit."
Gin snorted a laugh as he watched Hayashi Yoshiki eloquently speak on the program.
Vodka also grinned:
"This kid is really popular, hehe. If those fans knew he killed someone, I really don't know what their reaction would be."
"Don't get sidetracked, Vodka." Gin's tone was neither warm nor cold, "He didn't kill anyone."
"…You're right."
Hayashi Yoshiki's two actions, no matter how you looked at them, were merely accidents. The victim's blood didn't even splatter on him.
Although he couldn't catch this kid's handle, Gin's interest in him grew stronger.
He's a very good talent…
The growing sense of anticipation in his heart made Gin curl his lips.
He would find another opportunity to test this kid's abilities later. However, the other party was indeed a bit too conspicuous recently, so Gin temporarily postponed the timing.
"By the way, Big Brother, about these smuggled gun documents…"
"Nothing to worry about. Just as planned, we'll make the transaction later at Toro Tropical Land Park."
"Okay, I called him to prepare the money. He should understand what we mean."
The two of them casually finalized today's action plan—extortion.
This time, the organization's members had secretly photographed evidence of a certain company smuggling firearms. So, Gin and Vodka were to take the negatives to extort 100 million Japanese yen, and incidentally, drive that company out to build a new laboratory on their land.
"The woman in this commercial is quite good-looking."
At this moment, the program on TV switched to a beverage commercial, and Vodka glanced at it and said.
Gin paid no attention.
In the Nichimai TV Station studio, the three people on stage heard the director's team's reminder, "Commercial break," and assistant host Nagai Ayako's expression immediately relaxed.
Matsuo Takashi, on the other hand, immediately covered his abdomen with a pained expression: "It really hurts…"
"Is something wrong, Mr. Matsuo?"
"Sorry, my stomach hasn't been feeling right since this morning." Matsuo Takashi smiled apologetically at Hayashi Yoshiki, then turned his head to look at a staff member next to him, "By the way, could you please confirm where Mr. Suwa is right now?"
"Okay."
The staff member nodded.
Soon, Matsuo Takashi received news from the staff member that Suwa Michihiko was in the mixing room on the fourth floor, monitoring the program. Knowing that everything was going according to his plan, his lips couldn't help but curve upwards.
I'll kill him later!
Matsuo Takashi secretly harbored hatred in his heart.
The "All Japan Detective Agency Unit" program was created by him and director Suwa Michihiko. It had taken a lot of his effort and emotion to achieve its current success. However, that guy Suwa Michihiko gradually became unsatisfied, thinking that although Matsuo Takashi guaranteed viewership, his potential had reached its limit.
He planned to kick Matsuo Takashi out, replace him with a popular beautiful star, and then increase the adult content of the unit. This way, the program's viewership would likely double.
But Matsuo Takashi absolutely could not accept this.
However, as a program host, he couldn't possibly go against the director. Suwa Michihiko even directly stated that this would be his last episode—taking advantage of Hayashi Yoshiki's appearance on the show to generate some buzz, the next episode would directly undergo a transformation.
(Just you wait, Mr. Suwa!)
Matsuo Takashi's heart was filled with resentment, and his killing intent grew stronger and stronger.
Under these circumstances, the program resumed after the commercial break—
Matsuo Takashi straightened his posture and quickly adjusted his expression.
"Welcome back to 'All Japan Detective Agency Unit.' I'm your host, Matsuo Takashi."
"Let's return to the topic we just mentioned."
"Hayashi-sensei, as a mystery novelist, in your opinion, what is the easiest method or way of committing a crime to be solved?"
"Under equal conditions, the easiest to solve should be a shooting case."
"Shooting?"
"Yes, compared to some hidden murder mechanisms or weapons, the traces left by a shooting are the most intuitive and almost impossible to conceal. Furthermore, from another perspective, the bullet holes left by a shooting are also the easiest traces for the Police to identify. The method is straightforward, which will save a lot of time in solving the case."
"I see…"
Listening to Hayashi Yoshiki's words, Matsuo Takashi suddenly felt a little flustered.
However, thinking of the scenario he had planned for a long time, he forced himself to remain calm—he had absolute confidence that he wouldn't be easily seen through.
Besides, this was just a mystery novelist who only talked big, not some famous Detective.
It was Nagai Ayako who suddenly started praising Matsuo Takashi at this moment:
"Speaking of shooting, Mr. Matsuo, as a shooting enthusiast, your marksmanship is incredibly impressive! It's said that your skill can be compared to that of a professional shooter!"
The latter's pupils constricted upon hearing this. He hadn't expected her to reveal this fact at this moment, and he quickly waved both hands humbly: "No, no, although I did practice abroad for a period of time, comparing myself to a professional is a bit of an exaggeration."
"Eh~ Mr. Matsuo is usually very proud, but on stage, he becomes humble instead."
"Hmm, although I can't compare to a professional, I'm actually just this much off."
After Nagai Ayako's words, Matsuo Takashi actually stood up, pinching his index finger and thumb to make a small gap, and said with his head held high and chest puffed out.
This contrast amused many viewers.
The program quickly moved to the next segment, which was the prize quiz:
"And now, the highly anticipated 'You're the Culprit' segment is about to begin."
"Next, we will play a 4-minute VCR. After watching it, please guess who the real culprit is."
As the two hosts finished speaking, the director's team immediately cut the screen to the VCR, and the three people on stage were able to rest.
During this time, Nagai Ayako brought Hayashi Yoshiki, the guest, to the monitor television backstage to watch the VCR together.
It was a 4-minute short crime film.
The short film showed the scene when the killer acted, leaving some evidence, and then gave the audience four options, A, B, C, and D, to guess which one was the killer.
"It's very well shot, the production unit really put effort into it this time."
As the VCR was about to finish, Nagai Ayako praised.
Hayashi Yoshiki was noncommittal and instead asked: "What about Mr. Matsuo?"
"Huh? Mr. Matsuo?"
Nagai Ayako looked around.
Speak of the devil, Matsuo Takashi appeared, his forehead covered in fine sweat, running over breathlessly, one hand still clutching his stomach:
"I'm here, sorry, my stomach has been upset since this morning… But it's fine now. The VCR is almost over, let's quickly go back to record the program."
...
To be continued