"Detective Koshien... A Yomiuri TV production?" Upon returning to the agency, Hayashi Yoshiki learned of the invitation from Tōru Amuro. The
"Detective Koshien... A Yomiuri TV production?"
Upon returning to the agency, Hayashi Yoshiki learned of the invitation from Tōru Amuro.
The word "Koshien" typically referred to Japan's high school baseball championship.
So "Detective Koshien" was naturally meant to be a competition among high school detectives.
According to the invitation letter, Yomiuri TV had gathered famous high school detectives from all across Japan to determine who was truly the nation's number one high school detective.
"The problem is… I'm not a high schooler anymore."
Hayashi said dryly as he sipped the tea brewed by Amuro.
Though he could pass for a high schooler based on looks alone—especially if he wore his old school uniform—he was, in fact, already 22 and had graduated from university.
"Apparently, the competition divides Japan into four regions: east, west, north, and south,"Amuro explained.
"For the western region, they invited the Kansai high school detective, Heiji Hattori. As for the east, it should have been Shinichi Kudō, who stirred up a storm recently with the rumors involving Kaitō Kid… But since he's been missing for a while, they invited you instead, Boss, given your age still falls close enough."
"But there's a problem."
Amuro sat across from Hayashi Yoshiki.
The dark-skinned man gave a cold smile. "Not long ago, I contacted Yomiuri TV through the agency's name—and they denied having any such project."
...There is no such project? So it's a scam?
"Exactly."
Hayashi Yoshiki calmly sipped his tea and chuckled.
"That's why I'm really glad to have you as my assistant, Amuro-san. If it were just me, I might've gone straight over after seeing the invitation—and ended up sold off before I even realized it."
"You're way too laid-back… Now that we know this is a scam, what are we going to do? Report it to the police?"
"Hold on."
Hayashi pulled out his phone.
He found Heiji Hattori in his contact list and gave him a call.
Without wasting time, Hayashi asked directly if Heiji had also received an invitation for "Detective Koshien."
After receiving a yes, he hung up.
"Heiji Hattori got an invitation too… Looks like the regional breakdown wasn't a lie."
Hayashi considered for a moment. "Let's see what trick they're trying to pull. I could stop Hattori from going, but I have no idea who the other two high schoolers might be—they might fall right into the trap."
"But what if it's dangerous?"
Amuro Tōru wasn't surprised anymore by Hayashi's thinking.
For this country to have someone like Hayashi Yoshiki… Bourbon had no choice but to admit: I could cry.
"That's why, once I leave, I need you to act based on the signals I send—or just go ahead and call the police."
"Fine."
And with that, they settled the matter.
When the date on the invitation arrived, Hayashi Yoshiki made his way to the designated pier.
The venue was on an uninhabited island, so transportation required a boat.
Just as Hayashi arrived, he spotted Heiji Hattori, who had also shown up—with Conan by his side.
In front of them stood a middle-aged man in a green tracksuit, with a hairstyle similar to Dr. Agasa's, though with black hair.
He glanced at his watch, muttering:
"Why are you all so late? Seriously, I move in minutes, not hours, you know."
"Sorry, we had trouble finding the boat,"Hayashi Yoshiki said, stepping forward.
His approach drew the attention of Conan and Hattori, who turned to greet him.
"Yoshiki-niisan."
"Yo, kid."
The two greeted him, and Hayashi responded with a casual wave and smile.
The man in the green tracksuit immediately introduced himself:
"Name's Hiroo Tsuchio. Anyway, let's get to the island. The others are already on board."
With such insistence, the three didn't linger.
Tsuchio Hiroo led the way and boarded the vessel—a small, humble boat that looked downright pitiful.
"So, about what you said earlier—this whole thing being a scam—what's the deal, kid?"
Hattori asked in a low voice, taking advantage of the moment while Tsuchio was still wobbling into place on the boat.
Conan listened carefully, too.
"The so-called show is completely fake. Yomiuri TV has no such project."
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
Heiji Hattori's jaw dropped—he had been completely fired up, determined to represent the Kansai region with pride.
And truth be told, Hayashi's presence only made him feel more pressure.
Tsuchio Hiroo began urging them to board.
Without time for more questions, Hattori followed and entered the cabin.
Inside, there were already two other young people.
One was a gloomy-looking youth with medium-length hair.
The other was a girl with a tomboyish look—sporting sunglasses and over-ear headphones.
"Alright, let me explain."
Once Hayashi Yoshiki and the others sat down, Tsuchio Hiroo spoke:
"After we arrive on the island, please stay in your assigned rooms until dinner. Although the real action won't start until after dinner, don't let your guard down. The competition begins the moment your feet touch the island."
"No problem."
"Understood."
The tomboyish girl and the gloomy youth replied unenthusiastically.
Hayashi Yoshiki simply smiled.
At this point, Hattori was already sitting with his arms crossed, clearly deflated—
He'd been burning with passion before getting on the boat, but now, no one else seemed particularly excited.
"Mr. Tsuchio."
"Yeah?"
"Is this really a Yomiuri TV project?"
"Of course it is,"Tsuchio Hiroo answered without a hint of guilt. "Why else would we invite detectives like you? To film the program, obviously!"
"I see."
Hayashi smiled and dropped the subject.
When Tsuchio was no longer paying attention, Hattori leaned in and whispered:
"Why didn't you just expose him right away?"
"Because it's more fun this way. And what if he gets mad and throws us all into the sea?"
Hayashi Yoshiki replied with amusement.
However, judging by Tsuchio Hiroo's chubby figure and overall lack of agility, and the quiet boat captain steering the vessel, Hattori wasn't buying his explanation.
He even suspected that Hayashi Yoshiki, who clearly knew there was something shady from the start, was armed to the teeth, probably carrying multiple knives and maybe even steel plates under his clothes, ready to attack at the first sign of danger.
At that moment, the tomboyish girl wearing sunglasses turned to Hayashi Yoshiki.
"You must be the famous mystery novelist, Mr. Hayashi Yoshiki, right?"
"My name is Natsuki Koshimizu. It's an honor to meet you."