The Traitor Detective

Five minutes later, inside Fujino's room.

Fujino sat on the brown sofa in the bedroom, appraising Yoko Okino, who was explaining her recent stalking. He couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.

Yuko Ikezawa had just left, and Yoko Okino arrived right after.

Man, did those two plan this?

Fujino found himself in a bit of a bind regarding Yoko Okino's request.

He had just accepted Yuko Ikezawa's commission to investigate Yoko Okino's scandals.

Now Yoko Okino was asking him to investigate the recent stalking.

This felt a bit too much like a nesting doll situation... it was difficult to handle.

"Fujino Detective, if you can truly uncover the truth, we are willing to pay a commission of 400,000 Yen."

Her manager, Eiichi Yamagishi, seeing Fujino's distracted demeanor, immediately understood the underlying issue and tentatively stated the commission fee for this job.

'400,000 Yen?'

Fujino's ears perked up at the mention of the amount.

Well, I can't reveal a client's privacy, so being forced into a tricky situation like this is unavoidable, right?

After all, she was offering 400,000 Yen. That's sincerity that heaven and earth can bear witness to.

"So, Miss Yoko, you've come here for me to find the person who's been watching you these past few days?"

Fujino, as usual, poured Yoko Okino a cup of black tea.

"Mhm."

Yoko Okino nodded.

"Could it be paparazzi or something?"

"No..."

Yoko Okino took the black tea and frowned slightly. "If it were paparazzi, I'd actually be used to it by now... but this time, it's clearly gone too far."

"Every day when I get home, I find that the furniture in my room has been moved."

"I often receive silent calls, and the day after a silent call, secretly taken photos are mailed to my home."

"Just last night, someone was chasing me frantically..."

As she spoke, Yoko Okino's eyes welled up with tears of fear. "I really don't know what to do. If this continues, I won't be able to sleep at night..."

Fujino carefully observed Yoko Okino and noticed that she did indeed have faint dark circles under her eyes.

For an idol, lack of rest is a fatal issue, especially for a popular idol like Yoko Okino.

"What a beast..."

Fujino cursed inwardly.

But then he remembered that if he wasn't mistaken, those actions were likely all done by Yuko Ikezawa.

And Yuko Ikezawa had just commissioned him...

It's over. The beast... is me.

"Ahem!"

Fujino cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness.

He quickly changed the subject and deduced, "If Miss Yoko's description is accurate, I think you've encountered what we call a 'sasaeng fan'!"

"'Sasaeng fan'?"

Yoko Okino asked in confusion, "What kind of fan is that?"

"It's not rice, it's 'sasaeng fan.' 'Fan' means fan."

Fujino explained, "Fans who pry into idols' private lives, abbreviated as 'sasaeng fan,' are extreme fans who obtain idol privacy through methods including, but not limited to, stalking, secret photography, breaking and entering, and peeping."

"I've never heard of this term before?"

Yoko Okino, sitting on the sofa listening to Fujino's explanation, asked again.

She sounded just like a kindergarten child raising their hand to ask a question.

"Of course you haven't heard of it, because 'sasaeng fan' is a term I coined."

Fujino explained guiltily, "Before you came, I had already helped countless idols who suffered from 'sasaeng fans' just like Miss Yoko..."

Yoko Okino looked at Fujino with admiration. "If that's the case, Fujino Detective, you must have a solution, right?"

"Of course."

"I have a special method for dealing with 'sasaeng fans'."

"What method?!"

Yoko Okino looked at Fujino with adoration.

"Catch them, send them to prison for re-education. A permanent solution."

"Is there no other way?" Yoko Okino frowned. "Even if that fan is an extreme sasaeng, I can't bear to send them to jail."

"Sigh, Miss Yoko, you really are too kind... In that case, things might be a bit difficult."

With that, Fujino sighed, his demeanor revealing his embarrassment.

He looked just like a certain monk who charges extra.

Yoko Okino didn't understand the deeper meaning, but the manager standing beside her saw through it.

Difficult didn't mean impossible; showing a troubled expression was purely a signal that more money was needed.

"If Detective Fujino can resolve this without any exposure, we're willing to add a hundred thousand Yen as a commission."

"After all, if this matter gets out, it could very likely affect Yoko's reputation."

It seems this young man understands well, he's teachable!

Nodding, Fujino made a decision that went against his ancestors... or rather, his profession: "In that case, I will classify this matter as top secret and investigate it thoroughly."

Looking at Fujino's righteous demeanor, Eiichi Yamagishi suddenly felt like he'd boarded a pirate ship.

This guy... he's definitely a scrupulous detective.

This is unavoidable.

For a price under one million Yen, there's no one in all of Tokyo with better confidentiality than this guy... it's a well-known fact in the industry.

He was even introduced by an acquaintance, which is why he came here.

Helplessly, he could only sigh: "In that case, I'll trouble you, Detective Fujino."

As he spoke, he took out an envelope from his pocket, filled with one hundred thousand Yen.

It was the deposit.

Fujino took the bulging envelope, pulled out the money, and started counting.

One hundred thousand Yen, exactly.

Fujino glanced at Eiichi Yamagishi's tearful face.

Feeling a pang of conscience, he paused, then pulled out fifty thousand Yen and returned it: "I'll only accept one-tenth as an advance payment. You can take the rest of the money back. That's my rule."

"Thank you very much."

After retrieving the fifty thousand Yen, Eiichi Yamagishi bowed deeply to Fujino.

It seems I misunderstood this detective... Could this matter really be that difficult?

"No need for thanks, no need for thanks. It's just business."

It'll all be his in the end anyway.

"Since I've accepted the commission, let's not delay. We should head to Yoko Okino's home to investigate as soon as possible."

Then, Fujino slowly stood up and said firmly: "The sooner we uncover the truth, the sooner Miss Yoko can sleep soundly."

"Yes!"

Eiichi Yamagishi nodded vigorously, very satisfied with Fujino's efficiency.

Indeed, it was the right decision to come here based on a friend's recommendation. This is definitely a legitimate and reliable detective.