DN 47: Experiment

"Hello, the library is now closing. Please come back tomorrow to read," Tsugawa, the head librarian, announced on the third floor with a kindly smile, just before 6:00 p.m.

"Huh, closing already?" Kojima Genta blurted out.

"We'll head out now," Hayato Masaki replied politely, turning to Conan and the others. "Alright, detective games are over for today. Tsugawa-san's ready to go home—let's not trouble him."

"Okay, we're going home," Yoshida Ayumi nodded first.

With the group's only girl agreeing, the boys reluctantly followed suit.

Tsugawa-san chuckled warmly.

Hayato held up his book. "Tsugawa-san, could you help me check this out before I go?"

"Borrowing it? Of course," Tsugawa-san replied cheerfully.

He ushered everyone toward the elevator. As the doors opened, Hayato noticed Genta counting heads. "One, two, three… six total."

"What's up?" Hayato asked.

"The elevator's limited to seven people," Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko explained. "Earlier, we rode down with others, but eight made it overload."

"I see," Hayato said, smiling.

They reached the first floor, where Tsugawa-san handled Hayato's borrowing record.

Hayato glanced at the staff roster on the wall, listing all employees' names.

"Your name's Tsugawa Gosugi, right, Tsugawa-san?"

"Yes. Curious?" Tsugawa-san asked.

"Just noticed it," Hayato said casually.

Nearby, Conan smirked, as if he'd cracked a case: Hayato was collecting names again, probably for side characters in his novels.

His smug look drew the kids' attention.

"What'd you figure out, Conan?" Ayumi asked.

"Nothing, just that Hayato-nii likes collecting names," Conan said.

"Why's he do that? Weird," Genta muttered.

"Not weird. He's a mystery writer and kinda bad at naming," Conan teased, softening it to spare Hayato's ego, recalling his naming flops.

Hayato finished checking out and led the kids out.

On the way, they suddenly started introducing themselves.

One by one, they spilled their full names, even clarifying the kanji.

They insisted Hayato jot them down, beaming afterward.

Probably thrilled at the chance to cameo in a bestseller.

If only Gin and his crew were this cooperative.

"…"

Outside, Hayato slid into his car.

He confirmed the kids were heading home, then pulled out his notebook.

Tsugawa-san locked the library doors.

After killing an employee who uncovered his secret, Tsugawa had been extra cautious.

Certain no one was inside or could enter, he began sorting his latest haul—drugs.

Tsugawa was secretly a dealer.

He hid drugs in foreign books he'd bought, shrink-wrapped and boxed, unlikely to be opened.

The employee who stumbled on this was killed, their body stashed in the elevator shaft's ceiling—explaining why even the kids triggered an overload.

"I was going to practice more before trying this."

"But since you've isolated yourself, you'll do for a test."

A gentle expression crossed Hayato's face as he wrote in the Death Note.

Tsugawa Gosugi

May 3rd, 18:10, unlocks the first-floor door of Beika City Library.

Later, exposed for murder and trafficking, is arrested. During confession, never mentions events from 18:10 to 18:40 that day.

Three days later, 14:49:33, dies of a heart attack in detention.

He dotted the final period and stopped.

Hayato couldn't pick locks, so Tsugawa-san would kindly open the door.

Checking his watch, he entered the library when the time hit.

The lock was undone.

Tsugawa inexplicably ran down to unlock the door, then hurried upstairs to resume counting his goods, oblivious to his odd behavior—until footsteps startled him.

"Who's there!?"

A sudden red glow dazed his eyes.

Hayato wore a half-face mask, its surface studded with three red lights in a triangular pattern. The eerie, pulsing red waves, paired with odorless gas in the air, seized Tsugawa's mind.

"Feel your fear, Tsugawa-san," Hayato said softly.

Tsugawa's vacant look froze, then his pupils shrank. He collapsed, trembling, lips quivering as he screamed, "No, no! I didn't mean to kill you—Tamada!"

Tamada was the missing employee.

Hayato's expression stayed blank beneath the mask.

He observed Tsugawa's reaction—under the gas's influence, Tsugawa's voice grew frantic, escalating to shrieks.

"So many… so many cops!?"

"No! It wasn't me—I just wanted some cash!"

Hayato stepped closer.

Tsugawa recoiled sharply, scrambling back on hands and feet until he hit a bookshelf. Trapped, he shook violently, flailing at the air as if fending something off.

"Get away! Get away! You won't take me! You won't!"

"I'll admit nothing!"

He roared hysterically.

Hayato raised his hand, fingers mimicking a gun aimed at Tsugawa. The reaction was instant—Tsugawa screeched, shielding his face with both hands.

Hayato clicked his tongue.

***

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