Xiao Hei Is Bald!

It's a rare opportunity to use the other person's dental appointment to create a chance for a murder, and if we give it up now, who knows when the next chance will come.

Shimabukuro Kimie felt this wouldn't do, so she said, "Saori, you're being too nervous. I've already said that the Arrow of the Dugong isn't cursed. It's just an excuse I made up because I was afraid that people who obtained the arrow but didn't get the corresponding power... The idea that losing it or doubting its power will bring misfortune is completely unfounded."

"How is this possible?!"

Kadowaki Saori clearly didn't believe Shimabukuro Kimie's statement, and excitedly said, "You should also know about what happened three years ago, right? There were mermaid skeletons in that burned-down warehouse!"

Upon hearing this Shimabukuro Kimie's expression froze, and a hint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

Despite already knowing the truth and being prepared for revenge.

However, hearing the other person bring up that incident from three years ago again still made her feel a tightness in her chest and annoyed.

"I also investigated what happened on your island three years ago."

Fujino suddenly interrupted, "It's a skeleton without lower limbs... the remains of what's called a mermaid."

"That's right!"

Kadowaki Saori said solemnly, "That is absolutely a miracle performed by mermaids!"

"But how can you be so sure that it's a mermaid..."

Fujino narrowed his eyes slightly. "After all, it's also possible that an ordinary tourist entered the warehouse, accidentally started a fire, and had their lower body crushed by falling beams or something. How can you be sure that it was a mermaid?"

"How can I not be sure? But I..."

Kadowaki Saori wanted to say something more, but after thinking about it, she decided not to continue.

She remembered that the other person was Criminal Consultant from the Metropolitan Police Department.

It would be really inappropriate for me to say that I set fire to a mermaid and killed it three years ago while drunk.

If the other party takes it seriously, she might have to go in.

On the other side, Shimabukuro Kimie glanced at Fujino with a hint of surprise, sensing that the other was testing Kadowaki Saori...

That can't be...

But those two sentences are just too outrageous.

But if it were Great Detective, she felt it was quite possible.

Has he already discovered the fire set by his own Kadowaki Saori?

Shimabukuro Kimie suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

If that's the case, wouldn't her plan be doomed to fail even more?

Although somewhat reluctant, she gritted her teeth and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Detective Fujino is right. The police have also said that it was probably just someone who was unwilling to accept not drawing the Arrow of the Dugong and went to the warehouse to find a spare arrow, which accidentally caused the fire."

"But..."

"Alright, Ms. Saori, I have a general understanding of your situation."

Kadowaki Saori wanted to say something more to defend the existence of mermaids, but Fujino interrupted her, "I've accepted the request to find the Arrow of the Dugong for 500,000 yen. Now, aside from the previous deposit, you only need to pay the remaining 450,000 yen in full."

Fujino took the mobile POS machine out of his pocket. "After the payment is received, I will investigate the case, but there are some things I need to make clear beforehand."

"Pre-declaration?"

Kadowaki Saori was taken aback, but after thinking about it, she realized that this should indeed be the case under normal circumstances, and then nodded. "Go on."

"Here's the thing, my only request is to find the Arrow of the Dugong. I'm not responsible if the Arrow of the Dugong damaged. If it was stolen, I will find the thief, but recovering the arrow is up to you..."

Fujino handed the mobile POS machine to the other party with practiced ease. "That's the gist of it. I'll write it in the contract later. If you think it's okay, we'll sign the contract after you pay the commission fee... By the way, we support mobile payments here."

Fujino still felt that the price of 500,000 was a bit low.

It was just a request to find something.

If they collect too much, that would be going too far...

Even though the other party is a beast, he cannot openly act like one.

On the other hand, Kadowaki Saori seemed somewhat hesitant about this prior statement.

After all, her goal was to retrieve the Arrow of the Dugong and avoid being killed by the mermaid.

But if what you find is a bad arrow, then in essence, it's no different from not finding it at all.

However, upon further reflection, she still swiped her card, signed the contract, and completed the process in one go.

If the Arrow of the Dugong is already broken, then it's broken; she has no other choice.

It's better to hope it hasn't broken down yet.

After all, even she couldn't guarantee the current state of the Arrow of the Dugong.

With no other option, we had to try anything, even if it seemed hopeless.

"Then, when can you go to the island to conduct the investigation?"

After the contract was signed, Kadowaki Saori remembered this and asked Fujino about it.

"As for the time, it will be the day after tomorrow, or the day after that."

Fujino pondered, "I have something very important to do tomorrow, so I can't go to the island for the time being..."

"Well?!"

Kadowaki Saori was taken aback, then quickly said, "I'm about to be killed by a mermaid, are you kidding me?! Besides, I've already paid the commission fee, why do I have to wait so long?!"

Shimabukuro Kimie was also taken aback, but then breathed a sigh of relief.

"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, things have to be done in a first-come, first-served manner... They are also clients, and the entrustment involves matters of life and death."

Fujino shook his head regretfully. "If Ms. Monkyo feels this is inappropriate, this case can be cancelled... and we can find another detective."

"Alright, Saori."

At this point, Shimabukuro Kimie's attitude began to change. "Anyway, it's only a day or two, nothing will happen in these two days."

"Forehead..."

Kadowaki Saori glanced at the two of them, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Just now, Junhui thought the other party was heartless.

Now they're actually speaking up for the other party.

What's going on...?

However, after some thought, Kadowaki Saori agreed to let Fujino go to investigate the day after tomorrow.

After finalizing the details, Kadowaki Saori and Shimabukuro Kimie left the detective agency, planning to take the Shinkansen back from Beika Station and catch the last ferry.

In front of Beika Station.

"Junhui, why did you speak up for that detective just now?"

Kadowaki Saori Shimabukuro Kimie with a hint of resentment.

"He's right."

Shimabukuro Kimie smiled and said, "After all, everything has to be done in a first-come, first-served manner, and mermaids are just legends."

"Sigh... you wouldn't happen to have a crush on her, would you?"

Kadowaki Saori clearly didn't believe it. "But it's alright... If we can't move faster here, then we'll just have to rely on the other two."

Upon hearing this, Shimabukuro Kimie was taken aback. "The other two?"

"Yes, besides him, I also hired two other detectives, but they were High School Detective, recommended to me by my neighbor."

Nodding, Kadowaki Saori truthfully stated.

This time, strictly speaking, she commissioned three detectives: Fujino Doji, Fujino Doji Kudo Shinichi (recommended by her good friend), and Hattori Heiji.

As for why they sought out Fujino...

However, she believed that as Great Detective with an outstanding track record and a professional work ethic, he was definitely more professional than the other two High School Detective.

She hasn't seen any reports about Kudo Shinichi for a long time, Hattori Heiji is clearly inferior to Fujino.

She has one million yen on hand, with an expected 500,000 for Fujino and 250,000 for either Kudo Shinichi or Hattori Heiji.

Everything is for the sake of being prepared.

However, the detective doesn't have time right now, so they can only wait for the two people's reply.

If neither of those two responds, then we can only place our hopes on Fujino.

"I don't know if I'll be able to catch the ferry back..."

Shimabukuro Kimie glanced at her watch. "If we don't make it, we'll probably have to spend the night outside."

"I should be able to make it."

Kadowaki Saori didn't seem to be in a hurry. "But actually, spending the nights off the island these few days isn't bad either..."

Are you still worried about that?

Shimabukuro Kimie glanced at her speechlessly, unsure of what to say.

To say you're worried about mermaids would be a bit silly.

However, she did indeed want to kill him.

These actions did indeed cause her considerable trouble.

Three detectives, plus everyone on high alert.

If that's the case, her Murder Plan might be difficult to carry out.

After all, the core of her Murder Plan was to kill her target on the island.

"Actually, you don't need to worry too much, even if..."

But before she could finish speaking, she realized something was wrong.

Turning around, I saw a Xiao Hei figure who had somehow drugged Kadowaki Saori, who had just been chatting with me, and was now supporting her body in a mysterious manner.

Shimabukuro Kimie: "..."

Xiao Hei: "..."

The two exchanged a glance.

The situation suddenly became somewhat awkward.

All that's missing is some background music that gives it a slightly eerie feel.

"?"

Shimabukuro Kimie glanced at Xiao Hei, then at her 'good friend' carried on her shoulder, tilted her head, and a big question mark appeared in her small eyes.

Xiao Hei didn't panic; he simply stared silently at Shimabukuro Kimie.

"Leave it to me, young lady!"

A moment later, Xiao Hei left behind a meaningful remark, and then simply hoisted Kadowaki Saori and ran off at full speed.

Shimabukuro Kimie: "..."

She watched Xiao Hei gradually disappear into the distance, somewhat confused about what had happened.

A moment later, she came to her senses and realized a fact.

Kadowaki Saori has been kidnapped!

That's right, they were kidnapped in broad daylight...

I'd heard before that Mika had a high crime rate.

But has it become this blatant?

Kidnapped in broad daylight, and the kidnapper was...

Xiao Hei?

A Xiao Hei creature whose features are obscured and whose entire body is black?

He's bald...

So, what exactly happened?

And that line, "Leave it to me, young lady!"

Why does it always feel a bit like chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur)?

Shimabukuro Kimie stood there, feeling lost once again.

You can't just ignore the fact that your 'good partner' has been kidnapped.

Shimabukuro Kimie immediately called the police.

Although she also wanted to kill him, they had come out together after all, and he was suddenly kidnapped and disappeared, so she was certainly partly to blame.

"So, the person who kidnapped your companion was someone who was entirely black?"

Sato Miwako sat in a chair in the Metropolitan Police Department's reception room, wearing an old-fashioned suit, and asked Shimabukuro Kimie.

"That's right, just when we were about to leave Mika."

Shimabukuro Kimie nodded seriously. "He was a person who was all black, whose face was not clear, and whose eyes were strangely exposed. He even glanced at me during the kidnapping."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Sato Miwako raised an eyebrow and continued, "Are you sure it's someone who's all black and has no distinctive physical features?"

"Physical characteristics..."

She thought for a moment, then continued, "He's bald."

Sato Miwako: "..."

Xiao Hei is bald.

What kind of characteristic is that?

"How about it?"

Sato Miwako, and asked, "Can the kidnapper profile be confirmed?"

"Hmph... cough hmph."

Shigawa suppressed a laugh, then handed the sketchbook to Sato Miwako: "Based on Ms. Kimie's description, it's roughly like this."

"..."

Sato Miwako took the sketchbook and was also taken aback for a moment. "Is that so?"

"That's right!"

Junhui pointed to the portrait and said with certainty, "It was him who kidnapped Saori."

Sato Miwako stared at the Xiao Hei on the drawing board, lost in thought.

It's not that there's absolutely no news, but rather that there's not much useful information.

This Xiao Hei looks like a weird character from a comic book.

Looking at the portrait of Xiao Hei, Sato Miwako couldn't help but smile slightly.

A Xiao Hei, dark-skinned man picked up a person and ran away in broad daylight.

It's not so much outrageous as it is a bit too funny.

Are you laughing?

Junhui noticed the strange expressions on their faces and asked a question.

"No!"

Sato Miwako repeatedly. "We all have professional ethics."

Yes, as professional police officers, they would never laugh.

Unless you can't help it.

"In that case, please wait a moment, Miss Junhui, while I go and look at the profiles of the other witnesses to see if I can find any useful information."

Sato Miwako gave a perfunctory reply, then picked up the portrait and walked out of the reception room. She took a deep breath and happened to run into Fujino, who was also carrying a portrait and coming out with Juzo Megure. She showed him the portrait and said, "Inspector, Advisor, how's it going on your end... I can't get anything out of you at all. They're saying something about a person whose entire body is black..."

"The same goes for us."

Juzo Megure, on the other hand, seemed much calmer. He raised the portrait and said seriously, "The same features, the same black."

Sato Miwako: "..."

So the criminal who kidnapped a young girl in broad daylight was actually Xiao Hei?

She thought the first Beika Batman was outrageous enough.

Actually, that person was alright; they could help relieve some of their business pressure...

But now another Xiao Hei has appeared, luring women in broad daylight.

She sighed softly.

It feels like things are getting more and more turbulent in Mihua.