Minami Takayama's Request

"The Miss Yoko is talking about?"

As he spoke, Fujino turned his gaze toward Yoko Okino.

"Whee!"

Yoko Okino smiled slightly, a blush of embarrassment spreading across her face. "I just felt that Minami might have encountered a sasaeng fan, so when I introduced Fujino- kun to her, I mentioned it casually... I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. Actually, I was planning to ask you to help promote it."

Fujino chuckled and waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned that Yoko Okino had told others the term "sasaeng fan".

"Well?"

Yoko Okino was taken aback by Fujino's words and asked, "Fujino- kun, is it really okay for me to talk about your self-created term 'sasaeng fan'?"

"It doesn't matter."

Fujino shook his head, raising his forehead slightly. "My original intention in calling that type of fan group 'sasaeng fans' was simply to help those idols who suffer so much to have a precise way of describing them."

"But if the term 'sasaeng fan' gets out... those extreme fans might very well retaliate against you, Fujino- kun."

As she spoke, a look of worry appeared on Yoko Okino's face.

"If I can help those idols get rid of their torment, I don't care if I get retaliated against. I want to see what they can do to me."

Fujino adopted a righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor, but there was a strangely sinister undertone in his words.

"..."

Upon hearing Fujino's righteous words, both Minami Takayama and Yoko Okino were stunned.

In a daze, the two of them seemed to see a young detective, unafraid of power, fighting against evil forces to the very end...

However, why does this righteous and imposing appearance have a sinister feel to it?

Feeling a little embarrassed by the 'affectionate' stares from the two female idols, Fujino suddenly felt awkward.

Did they misunderstand something?

He simply wants to use the term "sasaeng fan" to expand his market within the celebrity circle...

"Ahem."

Fujino coughed lightly and got down to business. "Since Ms. Takayama has already noticed that there are sasaeng fans harassing you, then that sasaeng fan must have done something outrageous, right?"

That's right.

Minami Takayama nodded and said with a frown, "That guy ransacked my studio's cabinets and desks, and even tried to break into my apartment. Not only that, but since yesterday, he's been constantly harassing me by phone. All he says on the phone is 'Don't sing, don't sing,' and nothing else."

Fujino pondered for a moment and then asked, "Ms. Takayama, do you remember when this harassment started?"

"It started about three days ago, because I recorded a radio program that day, so I remember it very clearly."

"Did you offend someone on that show?"

"No, on that show, I just answered some questions from the host and played a demo tape of my new song."

As she spoke, Minami Takayama took a Sony player out of her backpack and handed it to Fujino.

Fujino took the player and put the earphones on.

As the rock music played in his ears, memories of his past life gradually came back to him.

If he remembered correctly, the "sasaeng fans" that Minami Takayama mentioned were actually two vicious robbers.

The two robbers harassed her not for any other reason than because of Minami Takayama's new song, which was the demo tape he was listening to.

Three days ago, when Minami Takayama was recording a radio program, the two robbers happened to hear the new song he was auditioning at the end of the program.

The two perceptive individuals easily discerned in the song's lyrics a metaphor for the robbery accomplice they had murdered at Shengyuan Temple the previous year.

They harassed Minami Takayama and threatened her to give up releasing the new song to the public in order to prevent the release of her new song from revealing their murder crimes.

However, their attempt to steal a chicken backfired, and what was originally a trivial matter was turned into a major incident by the two of them.

Gathering his thoughts, Fujino took off his earphones, rubbed his chin, and guessed:

"The harassment started three days ago, and you even played this song on that show. If I'm not mistaken, when that person said 'don't sing,' they probably meant don't sing this song."

Upon hearing this, both Minami Takayama and Yoko Okino looked at Fujino with confusion.

Seeing the two women's puzzled expressions, Fujino explained, "Since they specifically asked you not to sing a certain song, it must be your competitor... or a sasaeng fan who doesn't like your new song or something."

"Then what should I do?"

Minami Takayama looked puzzled, clearly believing Fujino's guess.

"Let's just abandon the release of this song."

Fujino provided the best solution.

"But I'm going to sing this song at next week's concert..." Minami Takayama frowned slightly. "Besides, the new album has already been decided, and it's impossible to change it now."

Just as Fujino was about to continue persuading her to give up, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ear, "You have a new System Task, please check it."

Bodyguard Job Mission: Idol Protection Request

Mission objective: Protect Twomix from harm during their performance while they are in the hands of the kidnappers.

Mission Reward: 500,000 yen, 50 Bodyguard Proficiency Points

Fujino stared blankly at the job quest that had suddenly popped up from the system.

"Fujino- kun, you must have a way, right?"

At this moment, seeing Fujino looking thoughtful, Yoko Okino suddenly said expectantly, "After all, no one understands sasaeng fans better than you, Fujino- kun."

"Um..."

After closing the system interface, Fujino gave a soft hum, adjusted his posture, and adopted a mysterious expression. "There is indeed another way..."

"What method?"

"I can't wait to ask, "Minami Takayama asked.

"That means you've commissioned me to investigate this incident... As long as we find the sasaeng fans behind it all, this incident will be perfectly resolved."

Fujino answered in this way.

"So, how much would it cost to hire Detective Fujino to investigate obsessive fans...?"

"Seven hundred thousand."

"..."

The Minami Takayama showed signs of difficulty.

To be honest, 700,000 is not a small amount for her right now.

She's just a singer, unlike actors who can earn money from multiple sources...

Fujino also noticed Minami Takayama's bitter expression.

He glanced at Yoko Okino, took a deep breath, as if he had made a decision that went against the wishes of his ancestors... Detective: "But those are all prices for strangers. Since you are Miss Yoko's friend, Ms. Takayama, I will definitely give you a 'familiarity price' for this case."

"No extra fees will be charged for the secret investigation. This time, the fee is only 600,000 yen."

After a moment's thought, Fujino stood up and bowed slightly to Minami Takayama: "Then I'll have to trouble Detective Fujino."

"It's no trouble at all."

Six hundred thousand won't do, but if we raise the price to seven hundred thousand, and then add a favor to change the original seven hundred thousand to six hundred thousand.

Then the client will easily agree.

This shows that the client's temperament is always inclined towards compromise and moderation.