Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the underground range.
"Reload and keep going," the instructor commanded.
Hayato Masaki followed, ejecting the magazine from his M9 pistol and loading bullets as swiftly as he could.
"Faster!" the hard-faced instructor barked.
Once loaded and chambered, Hayato didn't wait. He raised the gun, aimed at the target, and fired.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Muzzle flash glinted, spent casings arced, and brass bullets punched holes into the paper target.
"Good accuracy, but your draw's still stiff," the instructor critiqued. "This is a fixed target. Against a moving one—or someone reacting—you're too rigid pulling the trigger."
"It's a bit tricky, yeah," Hayato replied, a faintly troubled smile crossing his face.
The instructor snorted. "Tch."
He wasn't impressed by this polished, soft-spoken kid.
No clue why Gin-sama saw anything in him.
Still, the guy had skill. Lacking raw strength, but his reflexes were quick.
After several rounds—
"That's enough shooting for today. You're done."
"Thanks. Before I go, could you sign this for me?"
Hayato pulled out a pen and paper, smiling brightly.
"What?"
"I collect names. When I meet someone interesting, I can't help myself."
The instructor stared, incredulous.
"That's weird."
He grumbled but complied, scribbling his name. Gin-sama had told him to humor the kid's requests.
Hayato's smile didn't waver as he took the paper.
It sharpened subtly.
"It's not weird at all," he said. "A name carries weight. It holds a person's entire life… you could even say it is their life."
What's this nonsense?
The instructor blinked, smirked dismissively, and stalked off.
Hayato didn't linger.
After cleaning up to ensure no gunpowder scent clung to him, he left the underground training facility.
Nearly a week had passed since the signing event. Things had been quiet.
Gin had stayed silent.
The big win was his new book's reception. Thanks to Futaba Publishing's aggressive push, it was a hit, and Hayato's fame was climbing.
His appearance at the signing had drawn hordes of female fans, which Futaba leaned into hard—short of plastering his face on the book covers.
Yoko Okino's surprise visit had made headlines, funneling more attention his way.
Some female fans now clamored for him to debut as an idol. Even Yoko's manager, Ei Yamagishi, kept calling to gauge his interest in showbiz.
Ring-ring! Ring-ring!
"Hello, it's me," Hayato answered.
"Sorry to bother you, Masaki-sensei. It's Nanami Asamiya."
"Good afternoon, Asamiya-san."
"Good afternoon! I'm calling because we'd love for you to join a detective show on NTV. What do you think?"
"A detective show? Tell me more."
"It's All-Japan Detective Agency, aired every weekend evening on NTV. The host reveals tough cases sent in by viewers, and sometimes they invite celebrities to join."
"Sounds intriguing."
"As a mystery novelist, it's right up your alley. Plus, it's a big show—great for publicity."
"Got it. Can I watch an episode and get back to you?"
"Absolutely. I'll wait for your call."
Hanging up, Hayato noted the opportunity.
He took a taxi back to Beika Second Apartment.
Instead of heading to his place, he rang the bell across the hall.
Click.
The door opened, revealing Eri Kisaki.
"Come on in, Hayato."
"Thanks."
"Out training again? Must be tiring."
"A bit," Hayato said, slipping into indoor sandals. "But I've been taking it easy lately, so some exercise won't hurt."
"I think guys who stay active score extra points," Eri said, turning with a refined smile.
Her mature allure was undeniable—flawless skin, a flawless figure, and an elegance that belied having a high-school-aged daughter. Every inch radiated magnetic femininity.
"Were you watching TV, Eri-san?"
"Mostly chatting with Ran on the phone," Eri said, setting a glass of water before him. "She mentioned the other day, wondering if she really has a cousin like you. Said she ran into you at your signing while out with friends."
"It was quite the coincidence. We only met briefly, but Ran-chan seems like an impressive girl."
"Why so formal? You're only a few years older," Eri teased, laughing. "If you don't mind, you should hang out with Ran and her friends more. Staring at walls all day isn't good… and I'd feel better knowing you're around."
"Sure, if the chance comes up."
"She said she's going to Tropical Land this Sunday. Interested?"
Eri seemed pleased when he didn't brush it off.
She'd noticed Ran gravitating toward Yukiko's son lately.
Childhood friends, fair enough—Eri got it. Shinichi Kudo was a good kid, raised under her watch, with solid character and skills. But his flaw? That high school detective act—diving headfirst into cases, reckless at times.
Thanks to someone's influence, Eri was souring on detectives altogether.
Hayato, though? He was a safer bet.
Gentle, polite, talented, and strikingly handsome—she couldn't find a fault.
"I'm tempted, but Sunday I might be taping a show."
"A show?"
"Yeah, NTV's All-Japan Detective Agency. Asamiya-san just called about it."
"That one!"
Eri's eyes lit up, her smile widening. "I'll be sure to tune in."
"Good. Maybe I'll snag some audience tickets. I'll do my best out there."
Hayato grinned back.
His mind, though, drifted to Tropical Land. If things lined up, the plot was about to kick off.
***
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