Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

An abandoned breakwater north of Takeshiba Pier in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

This is a rarely visited, deserted corner of the sea, not part of the tourist coastline, with no walkway lights or rest platforms.

The rough stone seawall left over from land reclamation stretches along Tokyo Bay, with untrimmed coastal weeds growing on both sides. The sea breeze howls all day long, and on ordinary days only a few fishing boats pass by in the distance. Pedestrians are almost nowhere to be seen.

At 9:30 a.m., a metallic silver Honda NSX sports car slowly drove into the end of the barren embankment and came to a steady stop.

The driver was Mrs. Nagiharu. She did not get out of the car, but lowered the window halfway to let the salty sea breeze blow into the car and tousle her hair.

She gazed at the boundless sea, where the office buildings of the port area were faintly visible in the distance. Separated by the sea, the noise couldn't reach her at all; it was a sufficiently secluded spot.

Moreover, at this time, almost no one comes here, so she can do whatever she wants.

This is where she first met Hirano Shōmei. At that time, her pharmacy business was doing poorly, she was in debt, and she wanted to commit suicide. It was Hirano Shōmei who saved her.

Hirano Shōmei had been drinking all night and ended up here in a daze.

He was still drunk, and seeing her alone there, he simply carried her to his car and brutally assaulted her. Although the act only lasted a minute, from then on she became his woman and abandoned her suicidal thoughts.

He helped her solve all her problems, and she liked him.

She turned her head and glanced at the passenger seat, where there was a black box with silver lettering for an Ottoman S, and a small red and gold glass bottle for Ruosu.

She no longer runs the pharmacy, but she is very familiar with the effects of these two male enhancement products. Taking them orally or applying them topically can help Hirano Hiroaki last for twenty minutes.

Today, she arranged to meet Hirano Shōmei here, just the two of them. She wanted to relive that rough time, that moment of terror, to bring them even greater pleasure.

Then, let him die in pleasure, which could be considered the work of a killer.

At 10 a.m., a gray sedan pulled up beside her car; Hirano Shōmei was always punctual.

A tall, well-built man in a dark suit stepped out of the car, wearing a hat and a mask. Hirano Hiroaki was very well disguised in order to meet her secretly.

Before she could even get a good look at him, the man had already opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

Lady Nagiharu was suddenly startled. This man was not Hirano Shōmei. Although only his eyes were visible, she could tell when their eyes met.

She was shocked and was about to question him when the man took off his mask and hat.

"Hello, Mrs. Nagiharu!"

Nagi Haru's eyes widened. "Mr. Yuzuru, how could it be you? We...we were supposed to meet at noon, weren't we? Where's Mr. Hirano?"

Masahiro Hanyu's gaze fell on the passenger seat, where Otto Ping S and Wakasu were sitting.

"Mr. Hirano had something come up, and since Mrs. Nagiharu also intended to see me, I've come in his place."

Lady Nagi's face darkened. How could she possibly substitute for someone else in such a matter? "Did Hirano Shōmei inform Mr. Hanyu to come here?"

She wanted to find out if it was this detective who was behind it.

Masahiro Hanyu shook his head. "No, I met with Mr. Hirano last night, and then he made this decision. Mrs. Nagiharu, you wanted to see me because you have something to say, right?"

Lady Nagiharu was taken aback. According to her plan, although she had arranged to meet the detective, the two of them would not actually see each other. Since this detective wanted to die early, then so be it.

She gently bit her lower lip; her red lips and fair skin gave her a unique allure.

"Mr. Yuzuru, weren't you curious about the effects of Ottopin S and Wakasu? Now you have the chance to try them." She pulled down her neckline, revealing a dazzling cleavage.

Yuzuru Masahiro looked somewhat surprised, then his eyes revealed a longing as he reached out and picked up the small red and gold glass bottle, staring at the two characters "Ruo Su" (若甦).

"Madam, why do you favor me so much?"

Mrs. Nagi sighed softly, "Ah, Mr. Yuzuru, as you know, I'm very lonely and need a man. After you drink the Wakatsuki, I'll apply Ottopin S to your face. I believe what follows will be a wonderful experience."

Masahiro Hanyu held up the glass bottle in his hand. "The cap must have been opened." He then casually put the glass bottle into his pocket.

Mrs. Nagiharu was taken aback. "Mr. Yuzuru, I'm asking you to drink it now, and then we can enjoy each other right here, right in the car."

Yuzuru took a deep sniff. There was a faint smell of cigarettes in the car, not the kind that Nagi Haru smoked, but the kind that Shinki Masako smoked when she had her fortune told.

The three pieces of information provided by the system—[Nagiharu often buys Ottohira S or Wakasu], [Nagiharu is a guest of Masato Kamiki], and [Honda NSX, metallic silver]—converge here at this moment.

Masahiro Yuzuru suddenly understood; his prediction based on the clues was indeed correct.

At first, he couldn't understand what the clue about the Honda NSX had to do with investigating the killer. But now he did.

"During his time off, Masato Kamishiro would put away his car keys to prevent Masako Kamishiro from driving her Honda NSX."

"She also specifically instructed people who knew her to make sure they recognized this car, to prevent anyone from impersonating her and doing anything that was not allowed."

"But Mrs. Nagiharu lent her car to Masako Kamishiro, changed the license plate to Masako Kamishiro's, and made her do things for you."

Mrs. Nagi frowned. "Mr. Yuzuru, what are you saying? I don't understand."

With a solemn expression, Yuzuru Masahiro said, "Mrs. Nagiharu deeply loved Mr. Hirano. When he forced her to become Chairman Okita's mistress, you were heartbroken and made up your mind to take revenge on the man you loved so deeply."

"Hirano Shōmei hit Kamihisa Masato, and Kamihisa Masako wanted to avenge her sister, but she didn't have the chance."

"After visiting several times, Mrs. Nagi discovered that the sisters, Masato and Masako, were taking turns having plastic surgery. Since you also knew that Masako was running a plastic surgery clinic, you arranged for Nagi to have plastic surgery at her clinic."

"Then you talked about your resentment towards Hirano Shōmei, and persuaded Kamihi Masako to join you in taking revenge on Hirano Shōmei."

Lady Nagiharu's expression turned cold. "Mr. Yuzuru, you are talking nonsense."

Masahiro Hanyu continued, "But what would be the best way to vent your anger at Mr. Hirano? The best way, of course, is to destroy his business in the East Asia Association. If you could turn Mr. Hirano and Chairman Okita against each other and make them kill each other, that would be the most perfect way to get revenge."

"But Hirano Shōmei is loyal to Chairman Okita. How could the two possibly have a conflict or even turn against each other? So you and Kami Masako came up with what you thought was a perfect solution."

"Hired assassin, assassinate yourself!"