BWDC:SDDK Chapter 42: There is No Batman in This World, Only Kamen Yaiba!
"You actually suggested checking for fingerprints?"
No, what would be the point of that? Honda Osamu felt a flicker of unease, but upon second thought, it vanished.
The reason was simple.
He was cosplaying as a character from Mobile Police Patlabor, and that costume included gloves! It was absolutely impossible for him to have left fingerprints on the firearms. The move to check fingerprints wouldn't affect him in the slightest! At this thought, Honda Osamu couldn't help but let out a cold sneer.
He looked at the fellow who had somehow made his coffee cup disappear, a look of triumph surfacing in his eyes.
This guy, whose name he didn't even know...
Actually calling himself Batman, and even taking advantage of a momentary distraction earlier to snatch the handgun for inspection...
But now, faced with the scene Honda had orchestrated, the guy was still utterly powerless to crack the case! All he could do now was perform these useless, superficial actions to save face!
Besides, Honda Osamu knew very well.
In this world, Batman simply does not exist!
The only one who exists—
Is Kamen Yaiba! And there will never be any Kamen Yaiba other than Honda Osamu himself!
After that incident occurred, Honda Osamu had become increasingly obsessed with the Kamen Yaiba special effects series. The more he watched, the more he felt that Kamen Yaiba was exactly like him!
Consequently, Honda Osamu would appear in a Kamen Yaiba uniform at every Tokusatsu fan gathering. In his daily life, he felt more and more like he was the real-world incarnation of the hero.
"That's right, I can feel the will of Kamen Yaiba awakening within me..." "I am the true Kamen Yaiba!" Honda Osamu told himself silently.
As if sensing Honda Osamu's internal monologue, Ren Ichimonji turned his head to look at him. His eyes narrowed slightly, projecting a look of disapproval.
Beside them, Takagi Wataru placed the two handguns into separate evidence bags. He stood up immediately and, following Ren Ichimonji's idea, took the guns to the patrol car parked outside to extract and test for fingerprints.
This scene unfolded without the explicit permission of Inspector Megure.
However, the numerous officers on site took it as a matter of course, not finding it strange in the least. —Whenever they faced a detective, this was how they operated. Don't ask; if you have an external brain, you might as well stop thinking for yourself.
"Mr. Tsutsumi Yasuyuki, you mentioned it earlier, didn't you?" "In previous gatherings, the role of Kamen Yaiba was always played by Mr. Honda Osamu."
Ren Ichimonji slid his hands into his pockets. As for his "main body"—the coffee cup—he had already tucked it away into Batman's six-slot utility belt during his earlier dash.
He had already used the coffee cup's special effect once today. Drinking more would only restore physical strength and spirit, but since he was currently in perfect condition, he had no use for those functions.
Though Ren Ichimonji was questioning Tsutsumi Yasuyuki, his gaze remained firmly locked on Honda Osamu. Even Mouri Kogoro, who was standing nearby and wasn't particularly sensitive to the nuances of the situation, could feel that Ren Ichimonji's attitude toward Honda Osamu was incredibly hostile—
It was almost as if he had locked onto the criminal in advance and was now simply looking for the evidence to prove it.
The presumption of guilt. It was a common tactic for detectives, and even more so, the consistent style of the Bat-family.
Beside them, Tsutsumi Yasuyuki hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Th-that's right." "Honda has always loved the character of Kamen Yaiba. If anyone insults Kamen Yaiba, Honda will even get into a physical fight with them." "Except for this gathering, Kamen Yaiba has always been played by Honda." "Because he truly loves the character, and we can all feel that..."
After Tsutsumi Yasuyuki spoke, Honda Osamu felt the atmosphere undergo a subtle shift. He had to consider whether he needed to perform a "technical adjustment" in a moment. For instance, finding more powerful testimony for himself...
Honda Osamu's attention was entirely focused on Tsutsumi Yasuyuki. Then, he felt the light over him dim slightly, and he jumped in a startle.
While Tsutsumi was talking, Ren Ichimonji had moved in front of him at some unknown point. He had walked without making a single sound. Even Honda Osamu, who prided himself on being Kamen Yaiba, hadn't heard a single strange movement!
"Answer me, Honda Osamu," Batman asked in a low voice. "You love Kamen Yaiba so much, so why did you change your costume for this specific gathering?" "Is it because you no longer love Kamen Yaiba?"
—How could I not love him?! "Kamen Yaiba" widened his eyes, instinctively wanting to retort.
But for a moment, he couldn't find the words. He couldn't say he loved Mobile Police more than Kamen Yaiba, because he was Kamen Yaiba. But if he gave any other reason, the logic seemed flawed...
Damn it, this guy really does have some skill. I'll grudgingly admit you're Batman for five minutes.
Honda Osamu's gaze sharpened as he immediately diverted the conflict. "Batman, by saying that, do you think I'm the killer?" "But as everyone saw, I am the victim!" "Mifune Katsuji committed suicide by shooting himself. He attacked me because I mocked his motorcycle gear for not being authentic enough at a previous gathering. Tsutsumi Yasuyuki and President Saotome can prove it for me!"
Motorcycle gear? Attacking someone with a gun just because of a mockery? Mouri Kogoro felt this was a bit of a stretch. Although he had been asked to keep his distance from the crime scene to prevent any issues with the police investigation, he was still closely monitoring the case.
However, the reactions of Tsutsumi Yasuyuki and Saotome Madoka beside him exceeded his expectations. Saotome Madoka hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said: "Yes, that did happen." "Mifune Katsuji's motorcycle was modified entirely to match Kamen Yaiba's Cyclone. He put a lot of heart and soul into it. Insulting the Cyclone was the same as insulting his idol, Kamen Yaiba." "That's probably why Mifune Katsuji couldn't take it and wanted to kill for revenge..."
Mouri Kogoro: ?
Then again... Mouri Kogoro started to feel that Ren Ichimonji's attitude was somewhat unreasonable. After all, the situation seemed clear; they could just wrap the case up with the conclusion that the killer committed suicide. It wasn't like there was someone in the real world who could use hypnosis to make a killer commit suicide after the act.
Inspector Megure, standing next to Ren Ichimonji, shared this reaction. Inspector Megure said hesitantly, "Brother Batman, as of right now, Mr. Honda truly doesn't seem like a suspect." "Isn't saying that a bit too hurtful to him?"
Hearing this, Mouri Kogoro immediately realized it was the perfect time for him to show off his skills. He bypassed the officers who were making a token effort to block him and burst onto the scene! That "wicked" finger of his was already pointed at Honda Osamu.
Mouri Kogoro said with absolute conviction: "Exactly! That's it, Inspector Megure!" "According to the reasoning of me, the Great Detective Mouri Kogoro, Honda Osamu cannot possibly be the killer in this case!"
Inspector Megure: ? Then again... Since Brother Mouri said that, I think it's very likely that Honda Osamu is the killer!
End of Chapter
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