Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

The image quality of this 16mm ultra-compact camera from Minolta is indeed only average.

Even when magnified, the woman's face in the photo remains blurry, with only a vague outline visible.

However, her slender figure, long flowing hair, and the demon head bracelet on her wrist are all recognizable features.

Masahiro Hanyu didn't know why he felt a sense of déjà vu when he saw this woman.

He carefully searched the original owner's memories but had no recollection of this woman.

Eimi Kuroki said that when she saw this woman, she felt like she had seen her somewhere before!

Why do both of them have this impression? Has this woman appeared in front of them before?

Masahiro Hanyu suddenly thought of a possibility that seemed unbelievable yet could be reasonably explained.

This conjecture needs to be verified. He absolutely must enter the Royal Adult Club of Cupid next Tuesday night.

He was to complete the investigation within three days, and according to the contract, he would receive 50 yen. The next Tuesday would be the last day.

The Royal Eros Adult Club is a high-end, private venue with strict security, making it difficult to gain entry for investigation.

It is virtually impossible to get away with forging documents.

Even if it were possible, if it were discovered later, one would be held criminally liable and face legal trouble.

We must devise a legitimate identity to enter the club, and also have a reason to stay inside, so that it can be used for investigation.

Thinking of Karuizawa Club Pure Wheat, Masahiro Hanyu decided to start with alcoholic beverages.

Having worked at the detective agency for a long time, he was familiar with all the methods used in conducting investigations.

The Ginza and Shinbashi areas are home to many wholesalers and brand agents of spirits, whiskey, and wine.

After some investigation, Masahiro Hanyu quickly ascertained the current situation of the liquor wholesale market.

In Ginza 2-chome, in a back alley on the third floor, there is a sign that reads "Business Liquor Vendor".

Masahiro Hanyu knocked on the door and then pushed it open to enter.

The shop owner, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked him up and down. "Sir, which kind of wine would you like to see?"

Masahiro Hanyu handed over a simple business card: "My name is Masahiro Asano. I'd like to make a living as a liquor distributor."

"I heard you have a backlog of inventory; I can help you sell it off and clear your stock."

The shop owner frowned. "Everyone has inventory these days! Do you really think you can sell it all?"

Masahiro Hanyu spoke respectfully, "I heard that you have a backlog of pure wheat from Komagake."

"This is a 1990 vintage. The distillery is almost shut down; if it's left any longer, it'll only be good for wiping tables. I can give it a try."

The shop owner's eyes lit up. Koma no Gaku pure wheat had just been launched and hadn't even been promoted yet, but his economic situation had plummeted. He couldn't sell it and it looked like it was going to be a complete disaster.

"If Asano-san wants to sell, he has to pay a deposit first."

Masahiro Hanyu didn't hesitate. "Okay, but I need to test the market feedback on this sake first before I can make a decision."

"How about this, I'll pay the deposit, you give me the samples, and if they sell, you'll split the profits; if they don't, there's no refund."

The shop owner's eyes darted around. "A deposit of 10 yen, I'll give you an authorization letter, take four bottles as samples, don't come looking for me if you can't sell them."

Eimi Kuroki only provided 5 yen for the investigation, and Masahiro Hanyu wouldn't do anything beyond that budget.

He shook his head. "The deposit is at most 3 yen. If that doesn't work, I'll go talk to other companies."

The shop owner smiled and said, "Alright, I'll issue you the authorization certificate right away."

Masahiro Hanyu regretted it somewhat; he had still paid too high a price.

He counted out 3 yen in cash, then took the temporary authorization letter and four bottles of Komagatake pure barley from the shop owner.

Once business cards and work permits are printed, and you have a formal authorization letter, you'll have the identity of a wine merchant.

Not long after he left the liquor store, Kuroki Eimi paged him.

Masahiro Hanyu called back, saying that although the film had been developed and printed, the photos were not clear.

She doesn't need to do anything for now; she can just wait for his message.

The next day, Masahiro Hanyu woke up naturally at 10 a.m.

He slept soundly last night and didn't hear any noise from next door.

Just then, I heard the sound of the door opening and closing next door, so the female neighbor must have gone out.

He checked his pager; there were no new messages. Sato Takao hadn't replied since they made the agreement.

Masahiro Hanyu doesn't care, as long as they don't come to collect the debt.

At 1 p.m., Masahiro Hanyu arrived at the Roppongi Royal Building in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The Eros Royal Adult Club is located on the basement floors 1 to 3 of the building.

Masahiro Hanyu carried a bottle of MARS Komagatake Pure Wheat wrapped in kraft paper and walked into the basement of the Royal Building.

Facing you is an elegant black wooden door, with a sign above the door in gilded cursive script: "Love God Royal Club".

The small print on the side of the door reads "Adults Only/Membership Only/Business Alcohol Provided".

Two burly men in black suits stood outside the wooden door, with buzz cuts and tattoos, each holding a walkie-talkie.

As soon as Masahiro Hanyu approached, the burly man on his left came up to him and looked him up and down.

"Sir, it's not open yet, and only members can enter."

Masahiro Hanyu handed over the prepared business card, his tone slightly ingratiating and humble.

"Hello, I'm Asano from a beverage sales company. I'm here to discuss beverage supply with Mr. Yoshida."

Yesterday, Masahiro Hanyu inquired with the liquor wholesaler and found out that Manager Yoshida was in charge of purchasing liquor for the Eros Royal Club.

The burly man took the business card, glanced at it, and turned to whisper a few words into the walkie-talkie.

A few seconds later, a muffled response came from the walkie-talkie.

The burly man turned to the side and pointed to the side door: "Come with me!"

After walking through a long, narrow corridor, Masahiro Hanyu was led into an office.

Behind a mahogany desk in the very center sat a middle-aged man with slightly balding hair; this was Manager Yoshida, who was in charge of purchasing alcoholic beverages.

Masahiro Hanyu respectfully handed over his business card and authorization letter.

Yoshida took it and examined it carefully. "Komanogake Junmugi? Never heard of it."

Masahiro Hanyu smiled ingratiatingly: "Yes, this brand is niche. But that's precisely why it makes your club stand out and feel fresh."

He placed the sample bottle on the table. "This Komagatake pure wheat product can be stocked free of charge for one year."

"Settlement will be made after one year. If they can't be sold, I'll take them all away when the year is up. You don't need to bear any risk."

Yoshida raised his eyelids slightly. With the current economic downturn, the days of zero-risk distribution and full refunds for unsold goods are long gone.

Yuzuru Masahiro leaned down and lowered his voice, "Manager Yoshida can use the 20% commission as he sees fit."

Yoshida nodded slightly, satisfied with the kickback he was offered. "Hmm, Asano-san's terms are worth considering."

He picked up the bottle. "But you should know the rules: new wines need to be served at the bar first to test the drinks. I need to see how the customers react."

Masahiro Hanyu smiled and said, "I know. I'll bring three more bottles of wine tomorrow night, record the customer feedback, and then calculate the initial stock."

Yoshida put down the bottle. "It's settled then. Asano-san, come see me first when you arrive tomorrow night."

Masahiro Hanyu breathed a sigh of relief. On Tuesday night, he would finally be able to enter this adult club!