105: Chapter 105: The Suzukis Are Loaded

After delivering Yamato Kansuke to the hospital and subsequently dropping off the captured fugitive at the local police station, Fujino, having triggered two system tasks and earned a cool million yen, returned to Tokyo.

What happened afterward in Nagano, he couldn't say.

After all, the sole purpose of Fujino's trip to Shizuoka was to retrieve the APTX4869 disk.

Saving Yamato Kansuke and earning a million yen along the way were entirely unexpected bonuses.

The chill faded, and time jumped forward to April 11th, a Thursday.

Fujino residence, fourth-floor bedroom.

Fujino sat on the sofa, clutching a newspaper, his expression somewhat peculiar.

[The DARK Detective vs. The Magician Under the Moonlight! High School Detective Fujino Douji Repels Kaito Kid Atop Tokyo Tower!]

[Beika Batman Appears in Shizuoka Prefecture! Apprehends Fugitive Serial Killer After Rescuing Stranded Nagano Police Officer from Avalanche...]

The newspaper was filled mostly with recent news from the past couple of days.

Articles featuring Fujino occupied a significant portion.

"The Dark Detective? What the hell is that?"

The rest was fine, but the moniker "Dark Detective" left him slightly bewildered.

However, after reading the articles in detail, he understood the origin of the title.

The newspaper featured not only a photo of Kaito Kid clad in white under the moonlight

but also a picture of Fujino in his black suit, riding his black motorcycle.

The two images created a stark contrast.

Seeking sensationalism, some unscrupulous reporter, combining the Black Star pearl from the case and Kaito Kid's "Magician Under the Moonlight" persona, had deliberately fabricated the "Dark Detective" title for Fujino.

"These damned paparazzi..."

Fujino's lip twitched as he looked at the photo of himself in the paper.

Honestly, he had no idea when that picture of him on his motorcycle had been secretly taken.

The Dark Detective? Seriously?

He wasn't some Osaka Kazuha¹.

Meanwhile, at Ekoda High School, another young man gripped a newspaper, frowning.

"Damn it... What 'Dark Detective Fujino'... Kaito Kid still got away!"

Kuroba Kaito grumbled resentfully at the newspaper article, his tone laced with dissatisfaction.

"Kaito!"

Just then, Nakamori Aoko suddenly appeared behind him, calling out and patting him on the back.

"Ow!"

The pat sent a jolt of soreness through Kaito's back. A wave of familiar dread washed over him, causing a cold sweat to break out.

"Kaito, what's wrong?"

Nakamori Aoko asked, noticing Kaito's strange reaction with surprise.

"It's nothing."

Kaito quickly recovered, explaining away Aoko's concerned look,

"I just took a tumble doing magic tricks yesterday, my back's still a little sore..."

"Magic tricks... You didn't sneak into the girls' locker room again, did you...?"

"Of course not!"

Kaito looked like he wanted to cry but couldn't.

If only he'd gotten injured peeking into the girls' locker room... at least it wouldn't have left psychological scars... If he could turn back time, he would never provoke that lunatic wielding a frozen fish!

Simultaneously, at Teitan High School.

"Fujino-senpai, could you possibly come over to my house after school?"

"Huh?"

Fujino stared blankly at Sonoko, who had just invited him home.

Why would Sonoko, that silly girl, invite him to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her house?

Could she have some... strange ideas?

Perhaps she covets his handsome features, and frustrated by her lack of success, plans to force herself upon him?

At this thought, Fujino's brow furrowed slightly.

"May I ask, Sonoko, why exactly are you inviting me to your house?"

"Because my mother wants to meet you."

"?"

Hearing Sonoko's even more baffling reply, Fujino's small, confused eyes widened further.

It wasn't Sonoko wanting to bring him home, but Suzuki Tomoko wanting to see him?

Could it be that it wasn't Sonoko interested in him, but Tomoko?

How did things suddenly get even more bizarre?

"Ahem."

Fujino cleared his throat, sensing there was more to the story.

"Sonoko, could we perhaps clarify? Why does your esteemed mother wish to see me?"

"Well, my mother intends to invite Fujino-senpai to protect the Black Star aboard our family ship during the Suzuki Conglomerate's 60th-anniversary celebration..."

After Sonoko's explanation, Fujino finally understood the situation.

It was indeed Suzuki Tomoko who wanted to meet him.

However, it concerned the commission to protect the Black Star, not any other strange reason.

After school, the Suzuki residence.

In the elegantly decorated yet understated living room, Fujino sat on the sofa before the coffee table. Directly opposite him sat a middle-aged woman, likely in her late forties, still possessing considerable grace and charm.

"Fujino-kun, please have some tea."

Beside them, Suzuki Ayako, dressed casually, held a teapot and leaned forward with a gentle smile, pouring black tea into the cup on the coffee table in front of Fujino.

Fujino nodded, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.

Instantly, he recognized it as expensive, high-grade black tea.

Even the Endless Black Tea provided by the system didn't taste this good...

Rich people, indeed.

Fujino internally marveled, then placed the teacup back on the table, turning his gaze to Suzuki Tomoko seated opposite him.

"So, Suzuki-fujin (Mrs. Suzuki), your intention this time is to commission me to protect the Black Star, is that correct?"

"Precisely."

Suzuki Tomoko studied Fujino appraisingly, then smiled faintly.

"In my opinion, there is no one more suitable to guard the Black Star than you, Fujino-kun, having already repelled Kaito Kid once."

"Against Kaito Kid, I do possess certain unique methods."

Fujino nodded in agreement, adopting an air of profound mystery.

After a pause, he broached the subject of the commission fee.

"Since I generally understand the nature of the commission, perhaps we should discuss... compensation?"

Since it was a formal commission and not a request for a favor, as a full-time detective, accepting the case naturally required a fee.

After all, he, Fujino, wasn't some independently wealthy philanthropist.

"Regardless of whether Fujino-kun successfully protects the Black Star or not, the Suzuki family will pay a commission fee of five million yen."

As the matriarch of the Suzuki family, Suzuki Tomoko understood that asking for help wasn't free.

Even though he was her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠daughter's friend, it didn't equate to free labor...

Especially when the individual possessed considerable skill as a famous detective.

Fujino blinked. "Five million?"

Suzuki Tomoko looked slightly puzzled. "Does Detective Fujino find the amount insufficient?"

Fujino quickly waved his hands. "Not at all! It's more than enough!"

Five million yen, honestly, was a substantial sum.

Fujino hadn't expected more.

A commission fee of this magnitude was already considered very high by industry standards.

The Suzuki family was wealthy, but that didn't mean they were fools to be fleeced.

Waving his hand again, Fujino adopted an expression of utmost dedication, as if ready to lay down his life.

"Since Suzuki-fujin is demonstrating such sincerity, then I, Fujino, shall certainly do my utmost to protect the Black Star and apprehend that so-called phantom thief."

"In that case, we shall be relying on you, Fujino-kun."

Seeing Fujino's earnest demeanor, a pleased smile graced Suzuki Tomoko's lips.

The commission discussion went smoothly. Fujino had secured his largest single payment since transmigrating – five million yen!

Seriously, the Suzukis were loaded!

1. A reference to a character often associated with darkness/black