The monitor glowed coldly with streams of data.
Shiho Miyano stared at it, her expression tense, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she ran quick comparisons.
She felt an unshakable urgency.
The atmosphere within the Organization had grown more and more unsettling lately.
Gin had begun to pressure her with increasing frequency—demanding accelerated research, bypassing her concerns as a developer, even initiating unauthorized human trials using her drug.
And then there was her sister, Akemi Miyano...
Shiho had noticed that her sister had been contacting her less and less. A fact that gnawed at her constantly.
Are they keeping an eye on my sister?
A few weeks ago, the sisters had finally reunited after more than two months apart. They had shared many things during their meeting.
Though Akemi only talked about her daily life—something Shiho always cherished—there was a faint but unsettling feeling. She sensed that her sister was hiding something.
And then came the mention of a certain man.
Hayashi Yoshiki.
Her sister had shared a lighthearted story about bumping into a "celebrity" and getting an autograph. Curious, Shiho had looked him up online later.
A bestselling mystery novelist. A famous consulting detective.
She thought he was just another public figure—until today, when she saw him inside the Organization's research institute.
And judging by Gin's attitude toward him, his status in the Organization wasn't low.
That unsettled her even more.
What does the Organization want from my sister?
Meanwhile…
Gin was reviewing a diagnostic report in silence.
"Apart from 'temporal disorientation,' there's nothing wrong with him? He's perfectly healthy?"
His voice was icy as he looked at Yumi Iwaki, the psychologist. The chill in his stare was almost physical.
"Are you sure your diagnosis is accurate?"
Iwaki Yumi was clearly nervous, but she nodded firmly.
"Yes. Whether based on the results of the psychological tests or the therapy interview, Mr. Hayashi's mental condition is entirely stable. The only clinical symptom we observed was time disorientation."
Gin narrowed his eyes.
"No signs of antisocial tendencies?"
"Antisocial?"Yumi blinked, confused by the question."On the contrary, Mr. Hayashi has an extremely positive mindset. In fact, from a clinical standpoint, he fits the profile of a highly pro-social personality…"
Gin almost laughed out loud.
A good person?
What kind of "good person" kills two unrelated people just to stage a more "dramatic accident"?
How could that bastard Cointreau even deceive a professional psychologist?
But the more he thought about it, the more something gnawed at him.
Hayashi Yoshiki, aka Cointreau, had managed to appear completely normal—even ideal—on paper. Just how deep was his real condition, if he had to hide it so thoroughly?
"But," added Yumi, puzzled, "the existence of time disorientation alone is unusual. It's usually a side effect of some deeper trauma or disorder… yet I couldn't detect anything else. From all clinical perspectives, he's completely normal."
Her words only solidified Gin's suspicion.
He's pretending to be normal… and doing it perfectly.
"Master Gin?"
"Leave."
Relieved, Yumi Iwaki bowed and exited.
Moments later, Hayashi Yoshiki stepped in—still wearing his calm, kind smile. Just like in the report.
"So? The doctor says I'm healthy."
"Mm. As long as you can control yourself."
Gin, looking both annoyed and resigned, lit a cigarette and stared at him.
"Remember—you're not allowed to touch Organization members without permission."
"Only within the Organization can you fully exercise your abilities, Cointreau."
Hayashi Yoshiki tilted his head slightly, still smiling.
What is this man even talking about?
He didn't understand—and didn't ask. He just kept smiling.
Gin offered no further instruction.
Before they left the research facility, Hayashi saw Shiho Miyano again. She was working quietly at her computer and didn't notice him.
Now I really have no choice.
I'll have to draw her to my side…
After all, she had already seen his face.
And Hayashi couldn't risk Shiho recognizing him once she inevitably regressed into her child form.
Moreover, Hayashi Yoshiki had a keen interest in APTX4869—the drug central to so many secrets.
In the story's canon, only a rare few—like Shinichi Kudo—shrank after taking it. Most people simply died from its toxicity.
But with the Death Note as a buffer?
Hayashi Yoshiki believed he might be able to manipulate the causality so that everyone who took the drug would survive the transformation into a smaller body.
But this led to a deeper question:
If someone old and near death took APTX4869 and shrank… would the God of Death view that as an "extended lifespan"?
"Should I take you back to your apartment?" asked Vodka.
"No, to the office. I left my car there yesterday."
"Got it."
As the black car cruised through the city, Hayashi Yoshiki's personal phone rang.
To his surprise, the caller was Sonoko Suzuki.Despite exchanging numbers, she'd never contacted him before.
"Hello? Sonoko-san?"
"Brother Yoshiki! Ran told me your detective agency is finally open, right?"
Her bright, energetic voice sparkled through the line.
"My family needs a detective, so I recommended you to my parents. Would you be willing to take the case?"
"Hmm… I don't have anything pressing at the moment. What's the commission?"
"Do you know about the Phantom Thief 1412? He's been all over the news lately!"
"Yes, I've heard of him."
"There's a world-class jewelry exhibition at the Beika Museum right now. My dad's planning to display our family heirloom—'The Dark Night Star.' It's said to bring good luck…"
"As expected of the Suzuki family… Let me guess—Kaitou Kid has his eyes on it?"
"Exactly! I think everything will be fine if you're around, Yoshiki-san. But my dad still prefers to hire Ran's father. So… could you come by later to talk about it?"
"Of course. Give me a little time—I'll be there soon."
They chatted a bit longer before Sonoko hung up, her voice warm and cheerful as she said goodbye.
Speaking of Kaitou Kid…
Hayashi Yoshiki realized he hadn't reached out to Akako Koizumi in quite some time.