DN 58: Miyano Akemi

The office Gin arranged was top-notch.

A standalone two-story building facing the commercial strip, styled like the Mouri Detective Agency but flashier.

Kindaichi Detective Agency

Hayato Masaki had settled on the name long ago—a gimmick, really.

As a mystery novelist, he'd already built a fanbase. The name Kindaichi would make insiders smirk and give fans something to buzz about, boosting its visibility.

Still, since Gin picked the place, Hayato Masaki had to sweep it thoroughly for bugs or trackers first.

His counter-surveillance skills were decent enough.

Better than the average Organization grunt, at least… though, to be fair, some code-named members like Vodka weren't exactly pros either.

After a careful check, he found nothing suspicious.

He tidied up a bit, then headed out to order a signboard and lightbox for the agency. Glancing at the time—16:43.

Still early.

Hayato Masaki pulled out his phone, opening the text thread with Yoko Okino at the top.

"Hayato-kun, tomorrow's June 10th!"

"(?o?o)ノ Yay!"

She'd sent that last night at nine.

"Got it. I'm keeping it locked in—our date, right?"

"Yep! (?▽｀)ノ?"

She sure loved her emojis.

Yoko sounded excited.

Their chat after nine last night was full of her sharing work stories and dishing juicy entertainment industry gossip. She was chatty, lively, spilling her thoughts freely.

"I'll probably be free around seven. That okay with you, Hayato-kun?"

A new text from her, sent minutes ago.

Hayato Masaki: "No problem. I'll grab a cab to your place when it's time."

Since they'd talked about drinking last time, he wasn't driving today.

Her "OK" came back, and he pocketed the phone, deciding to hit the bank while he had time.

Futaba Publishing had wired his quarterly royalties yesterday. His passbook was full, needing a new one, and he wanted some cash on hand.

He took a number, waited.

About fifteen minutes later, he stood before a bank teller with a nameplate reading Masami Hirota.

"Hello, I'd like a new passbook, please."

"Of course, one moment."

Masami Hirota was new at Beika Bank, but her youth, beauty, and warm demeanor had already made her popular locally.

She cross-checked his passbook details on her computer, confirmed everything, and processed the new one efficiently.

"Sorry for the wait, Masaki-san. Here's your new passbook, please take care."

She stood, handing it over with both hands, her bright eyes fixed on him. "Um… pardon me, but are you the Hayato Masaki-sensei? The famous one?"

"Not sure about famous, but that's probably me," Hayato Masaki said with a light smile. "Want an autograph?"

"Oh… if it's not too much trouble."

She blushed, mindful of work hours.

Hayato Masaki didn't mind, signing with a quick, friendly smile.

As he walked away, Masami Hirota couldn't help but think he seemed so warm and approachable.

Truthfully, she didn't care much about the autograph.

Given her situation, just sitting behind the counter, working like an ordinary person, made her yearn for that kind of normal life.

Masami Hirota glanced around.

Her colleagues, on break, chatted about male idols in gossip mags. A young couple in line giggled over dinner plans. Further off, a family of three patiently soothed their crying child.

(It's so nice…)

Watching these scenes, the woman trapped in a dark world felt a deep longing.

She sat there, seemingly calm and free, but her life was shackled—smothered by a darkness so heavy she could barely breathe.

Miyano Akemi was desperate to escape the Organization with her sister.

The Organization's price was 1 billion yen, and even then, there was no guarantee they'd let them go… but she clung to that faint hope like a lifeline.

Meanwhile, Hayato Masaki withdrew some cash from the ATM and drove off.

Miyano Akemi, huh?

He'd recognized her instantly.

For now, he had no interest in getting too close. She was on Gin's radar, and slipping up could spell trouble.

…At least until she was "dead."

Hayato Masaki had long-term plans.

He wanted a stable, free life, but his role as an Organization member was a ticking time bomb. Unless the Organization collapsed, no member could ever truly break free.

(To be truly safe, I'd need everyone's names and faces…)

Especially Rum and Karasuma Renya's.

As Cointreau, climbing high enough to get that intel was a long shot. Going rogue solo was too risky.

Hayato Masaki didn't kid himself—he wasn't a saint.

He valued his life and didn't want any trouble dragging down those around him…

Which meant he needed allies.

And from the main cast, Ai Haibara was a must.

Her knack for sniffing out Organization members was uncanny. If she pegged him, his cover would blow instantly. To keep her on his side, Miyano Akemi was the key… and through her, maybe even a connection to Shuichi Akai wasn't out of reach.

***

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