DN 10: Ran-chan?

"Thank you for your support. I appreciate it."

A voice so clear and gentle, it could charm with eyes closed.

Clutching her newly bought books, Sonoko Suzuki's heart raced as the line dwindled.

Her turn was next!

Sonoko was practically vibrating.

Finally, the person ahead stepped away, and she stood before the signing table.

"Hello," Hayato Masaki said with a smile.

So handsome!!!

Sonoko's mind screamed.

She'd never seen a guy like this—almost otherworldly.

Glossy black hair, a smile warm and sweet, and a face so striking it stunned.

Not feminine, but purely, breathtakingly beautiful, like a view that demanded the word "gorgeous" slip out unbidden.

A fairy? An elf?

If he weren't dressed in a crisp shirt and suit, Sonoko might've cast him as a character from her favorite novels.

"P-please sign my books!" she stammered.

"Of course. Wow, you bought quite a few."

"I'm a huge fan, Masaki-sensei!"

"Thank you."

Hayato took the stack from her.

Six books total.

Before signing, he smiled again. "Sorry, my right hand's a bit worn out. Is it okay if I use my left? The writing should still be neat."

He'd practiced left-handed writing, anticipating moments he might need it for the Death Note.

To Sonoko, it just screamed dedication. "Yes, please do!"

"Alright."

He signed swiftly, his pen gliding.

Notably, due to the Death Note, Hayato always tweaked two strokes in his signature—a precaution.

Fans just saw it as his quirky flair.

"Here you go."

"Thank you!"

"No, thank you for the support. That was a long wait—there's some candy I like over there. Grab a few to try."

Yes, yes, yes!

His gentle words sent Sonoko floating, dizzy like she'd downed a bottle of wine. She reined it in, snagged some candy, and stepped aside.

Next was her best friend, Ran Mouri, who'd only tagged along for Sonoko's sake.

"Hi…" Ran said shyly, placing her book on the table.

"Nice to meet you… Mind if I call you Ran-chan?" Hayato asked.

"Huh?"

Ran froze.

Sonoko's eyes widened, and Shinichi Kudo, behind Ran, instantly went on guard.

Hayato quickly laughed. "Did I startle you? I'm actually related to Eri-san, so I know a bit about you."

"Mom's…?"

"I guess I'd be your cousin, sort of."

"No way!"

Sonoko's reaction outshone Ran's, her excitement palpable. With her bestie's connection, did she have an in?

Ran was just curious.

But with the line pressing behind, she didn't linger, taking her signed book and stepping aside.

Shinichi approached next, his face sour.

"Your writing's decent, but I've got questions about Freak Hall Village Murder. Wakaba and the fake Odagiri planning to elope on her wedding night—why kill? They could've run off without it. A murder would only complicate things."

"Shinichi…"

Ran tugged his sleeve, embarrassed by his nitpicking.

He reeked of jealousy.

Hayato caught the vibe but brushed it off, smiling. "Fair point, Kudo-kun. But consider this: Odagiri's revenge list included Wakaba's father. She might've begged him to spare her dad, offering anything in return. Odagiri could've lied to secure her help. Does that track?"

"Hm. Makes sense."

Shinichi said no more, grabbed his signed book, and left.

Ran, though curious, felt ushered out by the assistant. Wondering if she should've said goodbye, she settled for a small wave.

Hayato waved back.

With more fans waiting, he refocused on the task.

Three hours of signing was grueling.

Midway, Nanami Asamiya, worried about his stamina, urged him to take breaks. By the time it wrapped, it was nearly 7 p.m.

Only a dozen fans remained.

"Thanks for your hard work, Masaki-sensei. Could you sign this?"

"Of course. Thank you."

Taking the book, Hayato noticed something odd about the fan.

Sunglasses, a mask, and a voice that felt familiar…

As he puzzled, a bookstore assistant hesitantly asked, "Yoko Okino-san?"

"What? Yoko Okino?"

"The idol?!"

A murmur rippled through the store.

As the hottest idol around, Yoko Okino's fame was massive, her fanbase sprawling across genders.

Caught, Yoko gracefully removed her sunglasses and mask, revealing her stunning face.

She signaled for quiet, promising autographs later, then turned to Hayato with a fan's eager smile, waiting for his signature.

"My honor," Hayato said, signing the title page neatly.

He noticed someone snapping photos nearby.

The angle and timing suggested they'd been poised for it.

Filing it away, he finished the last signatures. Asamiya hurried over with a bottle of water.

"Great work, Masaki-sensei."

"Yeah, glad it went smoothly."

"An idol like Yoko Okino as your fan—what's that feel like?" Asamiya asked, grinning.

Hayato glanced at Yoko, now swarmed by fans, signing away, and at the cautious man beside her guiding the crowd. He smiled at Asamiya. "A bit flattering. Didn't expect the publisher to bring in Yoko Okino-san."

"How'd you guess?"

"An idol traveling with her manager is a bit odd. And those photos earlier? The manager was right there but didn't stop it."

"Wow, you caught all that?"

Asamiya was impressed.

Once Yoko's crowd thinned, her manager approached, offering a business card.

"Hello. I'm Yoko's manager, Ei Yamagishi."

***

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