As soon as the computer was powered on, Vodka quickly located the newly received video in his email.
It was highway surveillance footage.
In the grainy, low-resolution video, a car suddenly veered out of control while speeding down the road. It swerved violently, skidded, then slammed into the guardrail on the left side before finally coming to a stop.
After a brief pause, the driver forced open the door and stumbled out, looking only slightly unsteady—apparently unharmed.
However, the passenger—Kusuda Rikumichi, the Organization member Gin had sent to monitor Eitan—was trapped. The impact had crushed the left side of the vehicle, making the door impossible to open. He could only struggle to crawl out from the right side.
At that exact moment, a heavy steel coil suddenly rolled off a passing semi-truck and slammed down onto the wrecked vehicle.
The driver, who had exited moments earlier, narrowly escaped. But Kusuda Rikumichi, delayed and injured, was crushed along with the car beneath the massive coil.
"…"
After watching the video, cold sweat broke out on Vodka's forehead.
He, too, often sat in the passenger seat.
"T-This was… really just an accident, right?"
"How could it be?"
Gin scoffed coldly.
The scent of death from both incidents was unmistakably the same.
He understood now—that guy liked to strike just when people let their guard down.
But how was it done?
Unlike Yasuo, who had simply stood still, Kusuda Rikumichi had been moving, in a car, and yet only he had died... at the exact moment needed.
Gin realized it might be time to reassess Eitan's capabilities.
"…"
A moment later, Eitan returned to his seat.
As he walked behind Vodka, the latter tensed unconsciously, staring straight ahead at his empty glass, his sunglasses unable to hide the unease in his posture.
Gin handed Eitan a phone.
"This is yours. There's an address saved in it. If you've got time, go there for training."
"What kind of training?"
"Shooting, hand-to-hand, counter-surveillance. Whatever you want."
"Sounds fun."
Eitan smiled, scrolling through the phone. Among the contacts was a familiar name: Gin. At least it was better than the one-sided communication they had before.
"Your ability is… interesting."
Gin extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. "Serve the Organization well. Based on your performance, I'll apply for a codename from the Boss."
"Also, you're no longer being monitored."
"But—" Gin's tone turned sharp. "What happened to Kusuda Rikumichi must not happen again."
Eitan murmured with a faint smile, offering no further comment.
He didn't linger.
After finishing his drink, he stood up and walked out of the bar.
Gin and Vodka didn't stay long either—they had a deal to complete.
At the base of Daikoku Building, standing beside his beloved car, Gin suddenly spoke up:
"Check the car first."
"Ah, got it."
Vodka agreed quickly—it was a wise precaution.
After a thorough inspection, he found nothing suspicious.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Vodka asked, "Big Brother, should I drive?"
"You sit in the passenger seat."
"…Okay."
---
Kusuda Rikumichi
March 19th, 17:56 — Crushed by a steel coil.
Prior to death, he was riding in a companion's car, seated in the passenger seat, en route to execute an Organization mission. During the journey, the vehicle lost control and skidded on the expressway, crashing into the passenger-side guardrail and injuring him.
After the companion safely exited the vehicle, Kusuda Rikumichi attempted to escape from the driver's side, but was crushed by a steel coil that accidentally rolled off a nearby transport truck.
The Death Note could not kill third parties.
In other words, only the person whose real name was written would die. You couldn't write something like, "Kusuda Rikumichi drives into and kills an innocent bystander, then is crushed by a steel coil." That would simply result in Kusuda Rikumichi dying of a heart attack instead.
However, if the bystander's name was specified—"Kusuda Rikumichi drives into and kills Shinichi Kudo, then is crushed by a steel coil"—then it would be valid.
That was why Eitan had to include the line "companion safely exited the car" in Kusuda Rikumichi's cause of death. Without that clarification, the scenario would've involved an undefined third party's death, rendering it invalid.
Fortunately, Kusuda Rikumichi was a minor but named character in the canon, which made things much easier.
---
Ring-ring-ring-ring ~ Ring-ring-ring-ring ~
"Hello, this is Eitan."
"Excuse me, Teacher Eitan, I'm Asamiya Nanae, an editor from Futaba Publishing."
"Editor Asamiya."
"Yes! Thanks to our recent promotional efforts, your new book will officially release in three days—"
"Will Teacher Eitan's book signing also be scheduled for that day?"
"How are the details arranged?"
"The first signing will be held at Futaba Bookstore in Beika City.
It'll start at 3 PM on Sunday, three days from now, and run until 6 PM.
Does that work for you?"
"Yes, that works."
"That's great."
"Then we'll proceed with that time.
Also, I personally recommend that Teacher Eitan dress nicely on the day. You yourself will be a powerful promotional asset."
"Or, if you'd prefer, we can arrange for a professional stylist to assist with grooming that day."
"That's fine. No stylist needed for now... I'll make sure to look presentable."
After hanging up, Eitan picked up a pen and marked the coming Sunday on his calendar.
This was part of the agreement made when the contract was signed—how much promotional effort the publisher would invest, including events like signings.
It was a valuable opportunity.
Although he hadn't officially become a detective yet, building a public image was always a good step forward.
Besides, Eitan had full confidence in his own sense of style.
— — — —
Time passed.
The scene shifted.
That Sunday, the commercial district was lively as usual, but one sight stood out—an unusually long line outside Futaba Bookstore.
"So over-the-top... Shinichi, are you sure you still want to line up?"
"…I didn't think the queue would be this long."
"But this is rare. I never expected you of all people to attend a book signing."
"It's not like I'm a fan. I'm just curious."
Faced with the teasing tone of his childhood friend, high school detective Shinichi Kudo frowned slightly.
Then another voice chimed in—this one more biting.
"What's the difference in what you're saying?"
"There's a big difference!"
Shinichi rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by the other girl.
"The Kindaichi Case Files" had been one of the most impressive mystery novels he'd read recently. The clever setups, intricate details, and the morally dark nature of the Strange Mansion Village Murder Case in particular had left a deep impression on him.
He'd heard the author was quite young—that alone had piqued his interest.
After hearing his explanation, Sonoko Suzuki gave a dismissive snort.
"I don't get it. Ran, I think we should just ditch this line and go eat cake. It's going to take forever!"
"Sonoko…"
Ran Mouri could only give a helpless smile.
They had originally planned a casual cake and book-shopping day. But then Shinichi had called and invited them to the bookstore, derailing their plans into this... chaos.
"Oh my god!"
"How is it? Did you get a new photo?"
"He's so handsome!!"
"Wait—he's not a celebrity?!"
"He looks like one…"
"So elegant!"
"Hey, help me print this photo!"
Sonoko, who had been visibly reluctant to enter the store earlier, perked up the moment she overheard the excited chatter from a group of nearby girls. Each of them was holding a book and a freshly printed photo.
Someone was clearly being admired.
Sonoko's curiosity kicked in. She edged closer, craning her neck and asking:
"Excuse me, who are you all talking about?"
The group stopped, looked at her, and seeing she was another high school girl, eagerly shared their excitement. One of them even held out a photo.
Sonoko took one look—
"!!!"
Her eyes widened dramatically. She spun on her heel and rushed back to Ran at full speed, as if carried by the wind.
"Let's go, Ran! Let's buy a copy and line up!"
"Eh? Huh?!"
Ran barely had time to react before being dragged into the bookstore.
Shinichi, watching all this unfold, could only sigh.
Now he was the one who didn't want to stand in line anymore.
Still, after some thought, he stepped forward to follow them.
Judging by Sonoko's expression, there was no way she was leaving without that signature.
But the moment he stepped into the store, the sight before him made Shinichi twitch the corner of his mouth again.
"…This is kind of ridiculous."
The normally spacious, well-lit Futaba Bookstore had become a packed venue. The signing table at the back was swarmed—almost exclusively by women.
Store staff and managers were doing their best to manage the crowd, guiding those who had already received signatures toward the exits. Meanwhile, assistants and Editor Asamiya from the publishing house were visibly overwhelmed.
Amid the noise, Ran's gentle voice could be heard:
"Sonoko, weren't we supposed to buy English materials too?"
"We'll do that after we finish lining up!"
"…"
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