### Chapter 60: The Soccer Player Threat Incident

**[Plagiarism Scandal Writer Ikeda Chikako Admitted to Aoyama Mental Hospital!]** 

**[Ikeda Chikako is currently undergoing the latest electroconvulsive therapy introduced by renowned psychiatrist Dr. Fukuyama...]**

**[Due to the plagiarism issue, "Blue Kingdom" is pulled from theaters nationwide. The production company faces significant losses and damage to its reputation.]**

**[High School Detective Fujino Tōji solves another bizarre case. What is the connection between the Junior Detective League and Fujino?]**

**[With Kudo Shinichi missing, will Fujino Tōji become the new Sherlock Holmes of the Heisei era?]**

**[A police officer fractures his hand during an arrest. With rising crime rates, should the police increase benefits for frontline officers?]**

"Already admitted to the mental hospital?" Fujino mused the next morning as he read the newspaper on the sofa. "Those companies sure act fast."

After the plagiarism scandal, "Blue Kingdom" was pulled from theaters, and the company behind it suffered heavy losses and reputational damage. To mitigate further negative impact, the company quickly distanced itself from Ikeda Chikako and sent her to a mental hospital.

"By the way, Aoyama Mental Hospital… and that electroconvulsive therapy. It sounds familiar," Fujino muttered, frowning. "Dr. Fukuyama, the Thunderbolt King?"

Ikeda Chikako was in for a rough time.

Shaking his head, Fujino pulled out his phone and checked the date. "September 12th. Why does this timeline keep messing up?"

He grumbled about the date, then changed into his school uniform and hurriedly drove to Teitan High School.

**Teitan High School Parking Lot**

"Hey, Fujino!" 

As Fujino opened the car door, he heard a familiar female voice from nearby. He looked up to see Higurashi Shizuka getting out of a red Aston Martin and calling out to him.

"Higurashi-sensei?" Fujino was surprised to see her.

He glanced at the red sports car behind her and couldn't help but wince. Aston Martin. So, this tough beauty is also a wealthy lady?

"Did you finish the commission?" Higurashi Shizuka asked as she approached.

"Yes, it's done," Fujino replied, nodding. "This case took more time than expected. If you hadn't helped with the fake documents, it would have taken even longer. Thanks."

"No need to thank me," Higurashi Shizuka waved off. "Just treat me to ramen next time."

"Ramen?" Fujino was surprised but then remembered it suited her style. "I'll make sure to."

**Classroom of 2-B**

"Fujino-senpai, are you going to the Teitan University cultural festival tomorrow?" 

Yardie approached Fujino as he sat at his usual spot by the window.

"The Teitan University festival?" Fujino asked, puzzled.

"Don't you know about it?" Yardie looked surprised. "Everyone in class knows."

"Oh, right," Ran added, smiling. "Fujino-senpai hasn't been in school lately, so it makes sense you wouldn't know."

"Yeah, I guess so," Yardie said, scratching her head awkwardly.

"So, what's this festival about?"

"It's just a lively event…" Yardie explained vaguely. "I heard there's a good mystery play. Ran and I are going. Are you interested in coming with us?"

"Mystery play?" Fujino raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I might as well check it out."

He wasn't looking to relax with two high school girls. He was more interested in seeing the kids from the Junior Detective League make a mess on stage.

If he remembered correctly, the day of the festival was when Ayumi would get "kidnapped."

It was actually a case of her climbing into someone's trunk without permission, leading to a big misunderstanding.

**That Evening**

After a day of studying, Fujino drove home and parked in the basement garage. As he climbed the stairs to the fourth floor, he noticed a girl waiting anxiously at his door.

"Is she wearing a sailor suit?" Fujino wondered, examining the girl who looked around sixteen or seventeen, wearing a white sailor suit and black short hair. She seemed nervous.

"From Mihara High?" Fujino asked, recognizing her uniform.

The girl turned to him, visibly relieved. "Are you the high school detective Fujino Tōji?"

"That's me," Fujino replied, raising an eyebrow. "What brings you here?"

Typically, clients were adults seeking help with cases. It was unusual for a high school girl to seek him out directly.

"I'm glad I found you," the girl said, visibly relieved. "I need your help!"

Once inside the guest room, the girl introduced herself as Naoi Riko, a first-year student at Mihara High School. She had come to seek Fujino's help in finding Akagi Masaru, the younger brother of the soccer player Akagi Hideo, who had been kidnapped.

Fujino immediately recalled this case—it was the soccer player threat incident.

"New detective profession task detected. Please check it out," the system announced in his ear.

Fujino, slightly startled, opened the system interface to find the new task:

**[Detective Profession Task: Soccer Player Threat Incident]** 

**Objective:** Rescue the kidnapped child 

**Reward:** 250,000 yen, 100 Detective Reputation Points

After accepting the task, Fujino asked Naoi Riko, "So, the kidnappers took Akagi Hideo's younger brother to ensure he loses the Grand Asia Cup match?"

"Yes!" Naoi Riko confirmed, handing Fujino a threatening letter. "If Hideo doesn't lose the match, they'll harm him!"

"Usually, kidnappers demand money, but these ones just want Hideo to lose…" Fujino examined the letter and said seriously, "If I'm not mistaken, this is a plot specifically targeting Akagi Hideo."

Apologies for the slip-up and the rushed writing. The author has been awake for 24 hours straight and is a bit exhausted, so some details might have been overlooked.

**(End of Chapter)**