46: Chapter 46: Beika's Good Citizen, Batman

"Too far? How am I going too far?! Dead is dead!"

Ikeda Chikako became increasingly defensive, her words growing harsher, clearly trying to cover her guilt.

"I think Takahashi's just gone crazy! That's why he's accusing me of plagiarizing Atsuko..."

"Yes, that must be it! He's jealous of my success, so he's making up stories about me stealing from a dead girl!"

Seeing Chikako's utter lack of remorse, Takahashi's face contorted with rage.

If this woman had shown even a shred of guilt, maybe I could have let it go... But seeing her like this... I have to kill this bitch!

With speed that caught everyone off guard, Takahashi lunged forward, grabbing Ikeda Chikako by the throat and squeezing hard.

"Die!" he roared.

"Takahashi! Stop!"

The others finally reacted, pulling him off Chikako, freeing her from his grasp.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Ikeda Chikako collapsed to the floor, gasping and coughing violently.

Yet, even then, she spat venomously at Takahashi,

"Murderer! He's a murderer!"

"How can anyone believe the ravings of a madman who tries to kill someone in broad daylight!"

Fujino watched Chikako, his brow furrowed in disgust.

This woman really deserves to die.

No, wait. Death would be too easy for her.

There has to be a way to make her suffer... make her life a living hell...

The violent outburst shattered the previously relaxed atmosphere of the villa reunion.

After dinner, Ohta and Kadotani volunteered (or were assigned) to watch over Takahashi Ryoichi in his room, ensuring he didn't try anything else.

Ran, Sonoko, and Conan stayed with Ikeda Chikako, ostensibly to comfort her, but also to keep an eye on her.

This left Fujino and Ayako alone in the kitchen.

Ayako said apologetically as they cleaned up.

"After everything you went through earlier, you shouldn't have to help with the dishes."

"It's nothing,"

Fujino replied with a small smile, handing her a plate.

"Honestly, compared to everyone else, I had the easiest job."

"Still... I invited old friends here for a nice reunion... and then this happens."

Ayako sighed, her expression melancholic as she washed the dishes.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have organized this gathering."

Fujino chuckled softly.

"It's not your fault, Ayako-san. If anyone's to blame, it's Ikeda Chikako."

His voice lowered slightly.

"From the moment she plagiarized Atsuko's work, leading to her suicide, the seeds of revenge were sown."

"Even if Takahashi hadn't tried anything here, he would have eventually gone after Chikako somewhere else. Luckily, he attacked me first, and the tragedy was averted."

"I just... I never imagined Chikako could be that kind of person..."

Suzuki Ayako nodded, still looking troubled, but slightly relieved by Fujino's words.

"If it weren't for you, something truly terrible might have happened today."

She turned and bowed deeply to Fujino.

"Thank you so much, Fujino-kun."

"Please, don't mention it,"

Fujino waved dismissively.

"I just did what any detective would do."

"What a detective would do...?"

Ayako looked up, meeting Fujino's gaze, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.

The next morning, the group departed the villa hastily. After the previous day's events, no one wanted to stay any longer.

After dropping off Ran, Sonoko, and Conan, Fujino returned home. As soon as he stepped inside, the system chimed:

[Congratulations Host! Bandaged Man Task Complete! +50 Detective Reputation, 500,000 Yen Bounty awarded.]

[Current System Balance: 1,102,000 Yen]

[Reputation needed for next Detective Rank Up: 200]

"That Ikeda Chikako really deserved worse..."

Fujino muttered, a flicker of regret crossing his face. If he hadn't been worried about maintaining his cover, he might have... 'accidentally' bumped her a few times with the bokken.

He sighed, pushing the thought away, and immediately went for a ten-pull.

Sleeping Tea x2,

Azure Kingdom Original Manuscript x1,

Pocket Voice Changer (Blue),

Temporary Stat Boost Card (Strength & Perception; 1 min) x2...]

"The Azure Kingdom manuscript?"

Fujino stared at the item list, a slow, cunning smile spreading across his face.

"Looks like even the system couldn't stand that woman."

Just as Chikako had boasted, without the original manuscript and with the author deceased, proving plagiarism would have been extremely difficult.

But with the original manuscript of 'The Azure Kingdom'... everything changed.

The world of Japanese conglomerates wasn't all polite bows and pleasantries. Corporate warfare was cutthroat. Exposing scandals in rival companies was standard practice.

"Perhaps... I can leverage this for a little extra profit?"

Fujino murmured, eyeing the virtual manuscript.

That evening, Beika Town, 1st Chome.

A man in his late thirties, wearing a brown suit, blue tie, and black-framed glasses, hurried down a dark alley, clutching a briefcase. His name was Goto, a reporter for a local newspaper.

His career hadn't exactly been stellar. Ten years in the business, and he'd never broken a major story, mostly resorting to clickbait headlines. His peers had risen to editor positions while he remained a rank-and-file journalist. He'd resigned himself to mediocrity.

Until noon today. A phone call came directly to his desk. The caller, identifying himself only as 'Beika's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Good Citizen, Batman,' claimed to have explosive dirt on the recently successful movie, "The Blue Kingdom." Goto was skeptical, until a single page of proof was delivered to the newspaper office...

The paper, smelling blood (specifically, the blood of a rival media conglomerate that produced "The Blue Kingdom"), immediately gave Goto two million yen for the transaction and promised him an editor position if the story panned out.

Of course, 'Beika's Good Citizen, Batman' was none other than Fujino. He remembered Goto's sensationalist article about his own 'Untold Secrets with the Island Doctor' and figured Goto was just the man for this job.

"Do you have the money?"

Fujino's voice, distorted by the Pocket Voice Changer to a low growl reminiscent of a certain caped crusader, echoed from the shadows.

Goto jumped, startled by the voice and the figure emerging from the darkness, actually wearing a Batman mask. He'd thought the name was a joke... but this guy was committed to the bit. Goto's mouth twitched.

"Two million yen. Cash. It's all here."

He held open the briefcase briefly for Fujino to see.

"Payment for the goods."

Fujino materialized a copy of the Azure Kingdom manuscript from his system space and handed it to Goto.

Goto quickly scanned the pages, confirming its authenticity.

Fujino accepted the briefcase of cash, depositing it directly into his system balance. The system's the best counterfeit detector. Fake money wouldn't register. He nodded, satisfied.

"Pleasure doing business..."

Goto paused, then added with a hint of disbelief,

"...Beika's Good Citizen, Batman."