37: Chapter 37: Shibasaki Mieko's Request

After school, back at Fujino's place.

[Detective Profession Task: Bandaged Man Incident]

Objective: Solve or Prevent the associated murder case.

Time Limit: Within 24 hours of the victim's death (if prevention fails).

Reward: 500,000 Yen Bounty, +50 Detective Reputation.

"The Bandaged Man Murder Case?"

Fujino stood on his balcony, contemplating the newly appeared system task. A thoughtful glint appeared in his deep eyes.

This case, if he remembered correctly, involved Suzuki Ayako.

Back in college, Ayako had started a film club. After graduation, the members promised to reunite every two years.

This year's reunion was scheduled to take place at the Suzuki family's mountain villa.

The stolen idea became the basis for Chikako's award-winning debut novel, "The Blue Kingdom," launching her career.

Takahashi Ryoichi, who had secretly loved Atsuko, planned to avenge her at the upcoming reunion. He intended to brutally dismember Chikako at the Suzuki villa, using clever tricks to conceal his crime...

Knock, knock, knock!

A sudden knock on the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠door interrupted Fujino's thoughts.

"Another client?"

Fujino paused, surprised. The weekend seemed unusually busy for commissions.

Busier than a typical weekday...

Shaking off his thoughts, Fujino stood up. He crossed the hundred-square-meter main room and opened the door.

Standing there was a girl with a distinctive streak of red dyed into her bangs.

Fujino blinked, momentarily taken aback.

"Excuse me, are you Detective Fujino?"

The girl spoke first.

Fujino put on his polite, professional smile.

"I am. How can I help you?"

"Hello, Detective Fujino. A friend recommended me..."

The girl greeted him politely, explaining how she found him. Then, she asked timidly,

"I was wondering... do you accept commissions to find out who someone has a crush on?"

"That kind of commission..."

Fujino hesitated, his mind working quickly.

Being a detective isn't just about fighting; it's about connections. Every client belongs to a social circle.

Solve their problem well, and that entire circle becomes potential future business.

This girl probably wasn't here because of his recent fame, but because a friend vouched for him.

Honestly, Fujino hated dealing with these sappy romance-related cases.

But she was referred by someone, and she seemed polite enough.

Might as well hear her out.

Besides, he thought cynically, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Maybe she's loaded?

Once inside, the girl took off the baseball cap she'd been wearing, fully revealing the non-mainstream red streak in her hair, and explained her situation.

Her name was Shibasaki Mieko. Only two years older than Fujino, she'd joined a band right after high school and was currently the guitarist for a popular rock group.

She had a massive crush on the band's lead singer, Kimura Tatsuya. Recently, unable to contain her feelings any longer, she confessed... and was promptly rejected.

Tatsuya had told her he was already in love with someone else and would wait for that girl forever.

Heartbroken, Mieko desperately wanted to know who this other girl was, what made her so special.

That's why she'd sought out Fujino – to find out the identity of Kimura Tatsuya's secret love.

"So, Shibasaki-san, you want me to find out who Kimura Tatsuya is in love with?"

"Yes, that's right."

Mieko nodded.

"And if possible, could you please conduct the investigation secretly, without anyone finding out?"

"Kimura Tatsuya... he's a pretty famous rock star, right?"

"Investigating an idol of that level... the commission fee will be significantly higher than usual. Around five hundred thousand yen."

"I'll pay 500,000 yen."

Mieko didn't hesitate for a second upon hearing the price.

"Excellent..."

Fujino was pleased with her decisiveness.

Not exactly a rich heiress, but definitely a high-quality client.

He nodded, pouring her a cup of tea from his endless teapot.

"Consider the commission accepted. I guarantee absolute discretion; no one will discover my investigation."

"When should I pay you?"

Mieko asked, accepting the tea.

"If you'd like, I can pay the full amount right now."

"No need to rush,"

Fujino chuckled, liking this client more and more.

"Standard procedure is ten percent upfront as a deposit, with the remainder due upon completion of the investigation."

"Oh, I see."

Mieko nodded, then pulled out a credit card.

"Can I pay the deposit by card?"

Fujino sighed inwardly.

This is the second time... Does no one carry cash anymore?

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat.

"If you don't have cash on hand, it's fine. We can settle the full amount later. I trust you're good for it, Shibasaki-san."

"Okay."

Mieko nodded.

"Thank you for trusting me."

Fujino watched her put the card away, feeling a slight pang of regret about not having a POS machine yet. He then added,

"However, there's something I should warn you about beforehand, Shibasaki-san."

"What is it?"

"Based on my extensive experience, investigations like these... often don't end well."

Seeing Mieko's surprised look, Fujino continued gravely,

"Once you find out who he's actually in love with... Shibasaki-san, are you truly prepared to accept the reality, whatever it may be?"

Mieko faltered, her expression clouding over.

That's true... She hadn't thought about what she'd do after finding out.

Maybe she could try to change, become more like the other girl... But what if it was someone irreplaceable? What then?

She clenched her fists, her gaze dropping to her ripped jeans, her initial ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠determination fading into quiet sadness.

"Thank you for the warning, Detective Fujino."

She looked up, her resolve returning.

"Just knowing who Tatsuya loves... that will be enough for me."

"Very well then. Commission accepted."