Isn't it very scientific to use the Death Note to kill people?

Are there any animals you'd particularly like to see?

"...Can I watch them all?"

"Too."

Ai Haibara raised her hand and was led by Yoshiki Hayashi through the zoo.

The zoo in Beika Town is quite large, with several exhibition areas divided by animal type.

Amphibians, primates, birds, and even predators...

Compared to the children in the zoo who are often running around or screaming with their parents, she appeared calm and composed, as if she were just taking a walk. However, sometimes when Lin Jiashu took slightly larger strides, her short legs would obviously have to quicken her pace a bit... It was rather adorable.

The two strolled around, taking in the sights at a leisurely pace.

She probably didn't find the birds, flapping their wings and flying around inside a large glass dome, very interesting.

When passing by the zebra park, I would stop for a moment and watch the zebras with their black and white stripes lazily chewing on hay.

Next is the ostrich, an animal that always gives off a strangely smug feeling when you make eye contact with it.

While passing by the primate exhibit, Lin Jiashu suddenly stopped in front of the chimpanzee exhibit.

Seeing him pull out a notebook from his pocket, Ai Haibara was a little surprised: "You even have to memorize the names of gorillas?"

"After all, there are occasions when you need to write about animals, and if you don't write them down in your notes, your brain's storage space is limited."

"..."

Looking at the name of the chimpanzee "Caesar" written on the notice board next to her, and then at Hayashi Yoshiki's action of copying it down and then putting away his notebook, Ai Haibara was speechless.

Regardless, it's just too amazing how bad someone is at naming their child...

"But haven't you considered having someone else help you name your work?"

"I have tried doing that, and my editor, Ms. Asamiya, gave me a lot of suggestions, but I always felt..."

Lin Jiashu paused for a moment, then said, "It doesn't feel right if the characters I write don't have names they chose themselves."

"so……"

As he spoke, Lin Jiashu's gaze remained fixed on the gorilla inside.

The Death Note is a tool used by the Grim Reaper to control human life.

But why only humans?

Death is not a phenomenon unique to humans. Common cats and dogs also have their own consciousness and complete life cycle... If the so-called Grim Reaper can only control human death, and all life other than humans exists in their blind spot, wouldn't that be strange?

Hayashi Yoshiki tried writing the names of cats and dogs in the Death Note, but it had no effect.

That's not surprising.

It's possible that the Death Note doesn't work on creatures other than humans, but there's also a small possibility that the names humans give their pets aren't their real names.

Caesar, the chimpanzee at the Mihana Zoo, is quite well-known locally—for his volatile temper. In addition, as a primate, he seems to understand that his real name is Caesar.

Time passed second by second.

Lin Jiashu glanced at his watch subtly, just as the 40 seconds were up—

He saw the chimpanzee named Caesar get up and frantically slap another companion next to him, telling it to go play somewhere else.

So, it still didn't work?

Hayashi Yoshiki was not disappointed. He smiled and took Ai Haibara's hand, leading her away to another place.

As a human being, he has no reason to be disappointed by his inability to control the lives of animals.

"Let's go see the red pandas over there, you'll probably like them."

Why do you think I would like it?

"Because I remember Ayumi saying that you seem to really like cute kittens and puppies, right?"

Lin Jiashu looked into her eyes as he spoke, "I remember it quite clearly."

"..."

Just now we were saying that the brain has limited storage space.

Without realizing it, Ai Haibara smiled and followed Yoshiki Hayashi to the area where the red pandas were.

When they arrived at the destination and saw the adorable, big-tailed balls lazily sunbathing or playing around, Ai Haibara's expression changed slightly.

As if drawn in, she couldn't help but stop and observe.

"It seems there are paid feeding options. Want to try it?"

"it is good."

Lin Jiashu rarely saw anticipation on her usually calm face.

He led her to pay the fee, and then they each received half a sliced ​​apple. Under the guidance of the staff, they entered the feeding area.

The red pandas here are already used to it. As soon as they see someone walking through this passage, they immediately and nimbly climb down the tree trunk and quickly get close.

"Well……"

Before Ai Haibara was mentally prepared, she was entangled by two little pandas.

One of the red pandas, with its fluffy forelegs, stood up, its wet black nose twitching rapidly, clearly having smelled the sweet scent of the apple in her hand.

She was immediately entangled and became flustered, as if she didn't know how to refuse, and subconsciously offered the apple slice in her hand.

The little panda that had been resting on her lap stood up and grabbed an apple slice with its free paw, but accidentally dropped it. It immediately bent down and tried to catch it with its paw. Its fiery red, fluffy fur shimmered with gold edges in the backlight... Subconsciously, Ai Haibara reached out and touched its back. The smooth touch made her eyes sparkle.

After the "crunch, crunch" sound of biting into the apple disappeared, the little panda once again turned its gaze to the apple in Ai Haibara's hand and tugged at it, wanting to get it as soon as possible.

"You're eating way too fast!"

She muttered something unconsciously, but still fed the apple slice.

Half an apple is usually divided into four slices, and after being given out twice, it's empty.

While the little panda was engrossed in the apple, she enthusiastically ruffled the backs of the two big-tailed balls of fur.

Lin Jiashu's laughter rang out:

"You look so excited, do you want to buy one to keep as a pet?"

"This private individual can't possibly support it, can they?"

"It's definitely not possible."

Then what else do you have to say?

Ai Haibara looked at him, her eyes conveying this meaning, when suddenly a slice of apple was stuffed into her mouth.

"...What are you doing?"

"This apple seems quite sweet."

Ai Haibara instinctively took a bite.

The juicy apple was indeed quite sweet.

The two red pandas then walked past her, their smooth fur gliding under her hand, and set their sights on Lin Jiashu, who was still holding an apple.

Yoshiki Hayashi handed the apple slices to Ai.

The two little creatures immediately ran off to cling to her again.

Her face was flushed with joy.

Seeing how engrossed she was in petting the baby panda, Lin Jiashu moved aside slightly and took out his camera.

click-

The shutter clicked, capturing that moment when she was all smiles.

Chapter 496: Amuro Tooru's Choice

"Then I'll head back now, Mr. Amuro."

"Okay, be careful on the road."

In the evening, around eight o'clock

After saying goodbye to Nanatsukoshi, Amuro Tooru sat down at his computer on his desk.

Kindaichi's office usually closes at 6 p.m.

However, Amuro Tooru's fieldwork today was rather troublesome, and by the time he returned after finishing the case, it was already this late. He thought he might as well record today's requests in the file first, so he turned on his computer.

Recording a request in your file isn't as simple as adding 1 to the number of requests for the month. Amuro Tooru needs to record the details of the request, the final result, the request fee, and the attendance expenses in his attendance record.

"This is the 14th request this month, and eight of them are from Koshimizu, all of which have been handled beautifully. As for this kid..."

Looking at the bright blank space in the column for Yoshiki Hayashi in the monthly record, Amuro Tooru was speechless.

This guy...

Lately, I've been carrying around a camera, taking pictures whenever I feel like it, but I haven't taken on any commissions. I've been supporting this firm solely through my own and Yueshui's quiet dedication.

While it's understandable that he finds some of the requests too boring and childish, such blatantly blank records are just too much. Even a genius shouldn't waste their abilities and talents like that.

Muttering to himself, Amuro Tooru was about to shut down his computer and leave when he suddenly received an email in the firm's email inbox.

Request for Commission

Upon seeing the title, Amuro Tooru paused his departure from get off work and moved the mouse to open the email.

[I apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Lin]

This is a missing person request. Please help me find the woman in this photo.

I am willing to offer a commission of five million, of which a deposit of five hundred thousand will be sent to your firm's email address first thing tomorrow morning.

Requesting help to find someone is no problem.

Because most of the cases at Kindaichi Detective Agency are now handled by Tooru Amuro and Nanatsuki Koshimizu, sometimes they will decide whether to take on a case or pass it on to the Mori Detective Agency, depending on the situation.

However, when Amuro Tooru saw the woman's appearance in the photo in the email, his pupils shrank.

“Sherry…”

He found it hard to believe.

what happened?

His pupils trembled as he stared at the woman in the photograph—

Against the backdrop of a burning wooden house, "Shirley," with a hood over her head and holding a little girl in her arms, is giving a stern look to a fat boy as if she is giving him instructions. Judging from their appearance, they seem to have just escaped from the fire behind them.

Although his mind was shaken, Amuro Tooru immediately noticed the ring on Sherry's hand.

He immediately used the mouse wheel to zoom in on the ring.

The enlarged ring pixels were somewhat blurry and very dim. By adjusting the brightness, Amuro Tooru carefully studied the words on it.

The ring for passing the mystery train

(The Suzuki Express?)

He immediately thought of the recent moves by that wealthy old man from the Suzuki Group.

But why?

Someone actually sent Sulli's photo to the agency trying to place a commission—

At this moment, Amuro Tooru's thoughts were somewhat confused.

Sherry, Shiho Miyano... also known as Elena Miyano's daughter.

Amuro Tooru's initial motivation for wanting to become a police officer was to find the missing Elena Miyano.

Later, after infiltrating the organization as an undercover agent, he learned that his childhood idol, Elena Miyano, had already died, leaving behind only her two daughters still within the organization… However, shortly after, he also learned of Akemi Miyano's death and the death of Yukiko Yukiko.

So why would someone send photos of the defector Sherry to the Kindaichi Office seeking a commission?

This is something that Amuro Tooru just can't understand.

Based on the information he currently has, Sherry should be under the protection or supervision of another strange organization. Logically, it's impossible for her to be wandering around outside while wearing the boarding ring from the Suzuki Express.