I'm in Conan, I'm not a gangster

Chapter 470 An Accidental Encounter with Rena Mizunashi (2nd Update)
"Are you Yukiko's friend?"

Shiraishi E looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man around forty years old, with a neatly combed slicked-back hairstyle and a beer belly that was faintly visible under his custom-made suit.

He held a cigar in his hand, but his eyes kept following Yukiko's figure in the distance.

“Yes, I am Yukiko’s friend.” Shiraishi E took a sip of champagne without making a sound, the golden liquid swirling gently in the glass.

"Just friends?" the middle-aged man asked with a half-smile.

Shiraishi E nodded: "Yes."

"No, no, no, you're lying to me." The middle-aged man shook his head with a smile and said, "I don't believe it. You two touched arms!"

"If you were just friends, she wouldn't get this close to you. Psychologically speaking, she would only allow someone she's been intimate with to enter her private space and feel comfortable touching arms with you."

He puffed on his cigar, exhaling clouds of smoke, and said, "The distance between you two isn't like that of ordinary friends... Young man, I've been in this circle for over ten years, you can't fool me!!"

Shiraishi E raised an eyebrow, looking very surprised.

Unexpectedly, in this glamorous world of fame and fortune, I actually met an "expert" who understands behavioral psychology.

He put down his glass and frankly admitted, "We did have a few intimate encounters."

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up instantly, like a shark smelling blood.

His voice immediately became urgent: "Brother, do you have some kind of trick? Teach me quickly!"

“There’s no secret to it, it’s just pure skill,” Shiraishi E said, then added, “Of course, you also need some luck.”

The middle-aged man couldn't understand what Shiraishi E meant, but he knew that she wouldn't reveal her secrets so easily.

He immediately said, "Thirty million! As long as you can arrange for me to spend one night with Yukiko, thirty million yen will be deposited into my account immediately!"

Seeing that Shiraishi E remained unmoved, he eagerly added, "Or... those are all popular minor celebrities, you can choose whichever you like!"

He pointed to several female celebrities in the distance who were flirting.

Shiraishi E's gaze swept over the group of young girls who were all very attractive and had great figures. They were giggling at the man who was old enough to be their father.

He was shocked by the other party's utter depravity, as they had even proposed a deal!

I've really learned a lot.

He offered a flimsy excuse: "It's not up to me to decide."

The middle-aged man sighed dejectedly and said, "That's true. After all, Yukiko is no longer just an actress; she's started directing... Her status is different now."

While smoking a cigar, he recalled, "You know what? I had just started university the year Yukiko debuted."

"She instantly captured my heart; she was my first love!"

"I watched her performance in 'Summer's End' twenty-seven times back then. By the time I entered this industry, she had already retired from acting."

"It's such a pity that I didn't even have the chance to pursue her."

As he spoke, his face was filled with regret.

Shiraishi E observed the changing expressions on the other person's face with great interest: "I didn't expect you to be such a romantic."

"Infatuated?" The middle-aged man suddenly burst into laughter, drawing the attention of several people around him. "I just regret not having slept with the national goddess of yesteryear!"

He lowered his voice, and with a hint of drunkenness, pointed to the guests in the room: "Look at all these people, which one of them doesn't have this thought?"

"Who isn't here for this woman? Do you really think we're here to discuss cinematic art?"

"Those women are really stupid. They actually think that by sacrificing themselves and filming a few movies, they can become famous and change their lives... It's utterly ridiculous!"

Shiraishi sipped her champagne noncommittally. She did agree with the last statement.

No matter what industry you're in, it's not easy to defy fate and change your destiny.

However, given the terrible work environment in Japan, the entertainment industry is actually one of the few career paths available for advancement.

Those girls weren't stupid; they just saw through this rigid class system too early, gave up their illusions early, and made choices that were in their own best interest.

Seeing that he didn't respond, the middle-aged man left awkwardly.

Shiraishi E turned to get some food, but was startled by what she saw and stopped in her tracks—in the corner, an actress who had recently won a newcomer award was pouring white powder onto the back of her hand and skillfully inhaling it through her nose.

Noticing his gaze, the girl smiled and walked over: "Want some? I guarantee you'll have a blast."

Shiraishi E took a half step back: "...I don't touch this kind of thing."

"What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for?" The girl pouted and staggered away.

"Is this your first time attending a party like this?" A cool female voice came from beside me.

Shiraishi E turned her head and saw Mizunashi Rena walking over.

“Ms. Mizunashi.” Shiraishi E nodded slightly. “It is indeed your first time.”

Rena Mizunashi smiled and asked, "What's your name?"

After thinking for a second, Shiraishi E said, "Hiroshima Atom."

“Mr. Hiroshima, actually, she initially had the same thoughts as you… to keep her distance from these things.” Rena Mizunashi said with a light smile, “However… the threshold for human beings keeps rising.”

Her gaze swept over the others indulging in revelry, and she said, "At first it might just be a handbag, then it's luxury cars and mansions, and then..."

She looked at the group of people in the corner: "We need a stronger stimulus."

"As its resistance and tolerance become stronger, the intensity of external stimulation it needs is also rapidly increasing!"

"So they need this kind of thing... Besides, those girls have to face men who are old enough to be their fathers and grandfathers. Without this kind of thing, they really can't smile."

Shiraishi E nodded knowingly and said, "Thank you for tearing off the last fig leaf from the entertainment industry for me!"

As he spoke, he raised his champagne glass.

"You're welcome. You'll find out eventually anyway." Rena Mizunashi smiled and clinked her glass together, then symbolically touched her lips to the champagne.

Judging from this move, Shiraishi E knew that Mizunashi Rena was a party expert.

"Are you currently working as an actor...?" After rambling on for a while, Rena Mizunashi finally started asking her background questions.

“No, it’s just a detective hired by Ms. Yukiko.” Shiraishi E shook her head and said, “According to the plan, I was supposed to pick her up and leave… but she felt that there was still plenty of time, so she brought me up here to broaden my horizons.”

"Oh... I see." Rena Mizunashi tilted her head, puzzled. "But I remember her husband was an excellent detective, wasn't he?"

Why would she hire another detective?

Shiraishi E could tell that the other party was trying to trick her into saying something, and since he was just making things up anyway, she continued, "It was Mr. Yusaku who recommended me."

"Ah~~~ I see." Rena Mizunashi smiled, a look of sudden realization on her face. "Looks like mystery writers really are very busy!"

After chatting for a few minutes, she took the initiative to exchange phone numbers and then said goodbye and left.

Shiraishi E could tell that Mizunashi Rena hadn't realized anything was wrong with her; she was simply casting a wide net.

This made him realize that CIA agents were indeed different, clearly much more professional than FBI agents and public security police.

(End of this chapter)