Yuno Kisaragi Wants to Be Someone Special / Secretary Kisaragi Is Becoming Assistant Kisaragi~

Back home, he opened the file attached to the email on his computer. The agency really had no shortage of options; this one file contained nearly a hundred resumes of all kinds.

Perhaps the compensation Jiang Hang offered was too tempting to refuse. For an assistant position requiring practically no technical skills, there were applicants ranging from prestigious university graduates to girls who had been making their way in Tokyo since graduating high school.

He slowly browsed through the various resumes when one of them suddenly caught his eye.

"Someone actually wants to work part-time for me... She graduated from a voice acting school and wants to debut as a voice actress. Before officially debuting, she hopes to try more different jobs to gain life experience... She even wrote her purpose directly on her resume," Jiang Hang said as he looked over it with interest.

"Shizuka Sakaki... That name sounds a little familiar..." Still, it was hardly an unusual name. Looking at the delicate-looking girl in the photo, Jiang Hang did not think much of it.

Because he found this girl who wanted to become a voice actress interesting, Jiang Hang set her resume aside. He absolutely did not have any strange thoughts about the profession of voice acting, and he definitely had not made this decision because she was a pretty voice actress.

He continued reading, setting aside one flashy resume after another, until another somewhat interesting one appeared before him.

"Writing that you want to become a special person on a resume—is that specifically so people can make fun of it? Let's see... Koharu Yoshino, university graduate... Other than that sentence and her looks, everything else seems pretty ordinary... Still, I'll keep this one for now."

Out of nearly a hundred resumes, Jiang Hang made several rounds of selections and ended up keeping only five or six people. He sent their information to the agency and informed them that he would conduct interviews within the next couple of days to choose the final candidate.

The agency responded just as quickly as before. Probably because Jiang Hang was a VIP client, even though it was already nine at night, they immediately emailed him to say the interviews could be held at their company tomorrow afternoon.

Since he had interviews to attend tomorrow, Jiang Hang did not go out exploring that night. After taking a comfortable bath, he lay in bed and watched some new anime from this world.

After all, this was another world. While most things resembled his original world, there were still quite a few differences in anime. Some famous works from his previous life had vanished here, but there were also many excellent works that had never existed back then.

What Jiang Hang was watching now was one such work from this world. It was about the animation industry, following a group of people passionate about anime as they struggled in the business. It was somewhat similar to an anime from his original world called Shirobako, though the plot was completely different...

As he pondered that, Jiang Hang, who had been comfortably watching anime in bed, suddenly felt that something was off.

He climbed out of bed, turned on his computer again, pulled up the resumes he had previously browsed, and found Shizuka Sakaki's page.

Looking at the photo and the contents of her resume, Jiang Hang poured himself a glass of water and fell silent before the computer.

After a long while, Jiang Hang suddenly cursed.

"Damn it, what the hell is an inspirational youth anime doing at the Detective Conan set? Aren't you worried a murder case will suddenly break out at your company? You damn system, get out here and explain what's going on. You said you were a Detective System. Don't tell me you're suddenly changing your name into some Legendary Animation Production System?"

After another stretch of silence, the system finally gave him an answer.

"Host, please maintain proper respect toward the system and refrain from using vulgar language. This system has scanned the world, and detectives are indeed the profession closest to the world's origin. Please trust this system's capabilities. However, due to an error during transmigration, the host arrived in a blank world that had not been registered by the Time-Space Administration. Some deviations are entirely normal." (How could this system possibly know your two-dimensional stuff that clearly? It was already difficult enough to detect Detective Conan. Don't ask this system about anything else!)

"So this world still has Detective Conan as its main storyline, while Shirobako and the rest are side stories? No, what other messy things have been mixed into this world? System, explain it properly first so I can prepare myself mentally."

"Host, please explore on your own. This system is merely an auxiliary system. It will provide appropriate assistance on the host's path to becoming a legendary assas... detective. Beyond that, this system will not interfere with the host's life or choices." (Your two-dimensional stuff is too complicated. This system doesn't understand it either. Do whatever you want, just stop asking this system.)

Koharu Yoshino Wants to Become a Special Person

He had originally thought it would be an ordinary interview, but after learning that this world might not be merely the world of Detective Conan, Jiang Hang's thoughts underwent some subtle changes.

What if this world also contained more anime characters he had known well before transmigrating...

After all, no matter what, when two-dimensional characters appeared before him and he could personally witness their stories unfold by their side, that was a feeling few people could refuse.

Detective Conan was naturally a classic anime, and quite a few of its cases had been childhood-trauma-level memories for Jiang Hang. But the Detective Conan anime had been running for over twenty years, while less than half a year had passed in the main storyline. Cases popped up every day, making it difficult to feel the satisfaction of witnessing the plot unfold.

Shirobako, meanwhile, had also been quite popular for a time. With its beautiful art style and its rare focus on anime production itself, Jiang Hang was naturally very familiar with it.

At first, he had not thought in that direction, so he had not recognized her immediately. But now that he remembered, information about her quickly surfaced from the depths of his mind.

The story of Shirobako was not complicated either. It followed five girls who loved anime as they each pursued their dreams, with all five ultimately heading in different directions.

Shizuka Sakaki's dream was to become a voice actress. She did not have much screen time in the early stages, and most of her scenes involved failing auditions. Practically her entire storyline consisted of one setback after another, until she finally made her debut at the end. It could be considered a hard-earned happy ending.

"Hmm... Her resume says she just graduated from voice acting school and hasn't signed with an official voice acting agency yet. It looks like the plot over there is still a long way from beginning..." Jiang Hang muttered.

He remembered that when he had watched the series back then, he had posted comments like "Poor redhead" on the barrage. Who would have thought that after several years, he was about to meet her in person—and conduct her interview himself?

That feeling was truly... strange.

With all sorts of thoughts filling his head, Jiang Hang finally managed to fall asleep with the help of the Meditation Method.

The next day, he woke up before the system's alarm could even ring.

He carefully tidied up his appearance in front of the bathroom mirror, then repeatedly picked through his wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear for the afternoon interview.

After staying busy all morning without stopping, Jiang Hang felt as though he was not going to interview someone, but rather heading off to be interviewed himself.

When the agreed time finally arrived, Jiang Hang reached the agency early and patiently waited in a meeting room for the interviewees to arrive.

The first person to arrive was not Shizuka Sakaki, but another girl named Koharu Yoshino.

When Jiang Hang saw the girl enter the meeting room with a nervous expression, he did not pay much attention to her.

In truth, he had already decided to hire Shizuka Sakaki as his assistant. Still, it was necessary to go through the motions.

Besides, he remembered the words this girl had written on her resume: "I want to become a special person."

At first glance, there was nothing unusual about her background. An ordinary country girl had entered an ordinary university in Tokyo, then wanted to find a job and remain in Tokyo after graduating, just like anyone else.

If there was anything special about her, it was probably her record of being rejected by more than twenty companies in a row. Naturally, she had not written that on her resume; it was mentioned in the personal information provided by the agency.

Sure enough, the pressure from more than twenty failed interviews had probably gotten to her. Koharu Yoshino seemed excessively nervous while answering Jiang Hang's questions.

She nearly misspoke even during the most basic self-introduction.

Jiang Hang was slightly disappointed. Was this girl, who had boldly written "I want to become a special person" on her resume, really only capable of this much?

"I saw that you wrote on your resume that you want to become a special person... What kind of person do you think counts as a 'special person'?"

Jiang Hang asked the girl his final question.

He had not expected much from her anymore, but unexpectedly, upon hearing his question, she seemed to sink into her own memories.

"That was a memory from when I was little... In a palace hall somewhere unknown, countless citizens offered me their blessings. A shining crown was placed on my head. That happiness and joy... Even now, I still can't tell whether it was a dream or reality," she spoke of her memory in a blissful tone, as though she had entirely forgotten that this was still an interview.

Only after she finished recounting her memory did Koharu Yoshino notice that the young interviewer seated across from her was looking at her with a strange expression.

"???"

Oh no, I accidentally said what I was thinking again. This interviewer must think I'm a weirdo now!

It's over. I messed up another interview!

Koharu Yoshino wailed inwardly.

This was already her thirtieth interview. Her family had called yesterday to tell her they would stop sending living expenses next month, and she had less than a thousand yen total between her wallet and bank account. If she could not find a job soon, never mind becoming a special person—she would starve to death in this city first.

While the girl's heart was filled with despair, Jiang Hang's heart was churning like stormy seas.

The moment he heard the girl's memory, the words had sounded inexplicably familiar. Once she finished speaking, he finally remembered.

Koharu Yoshino. The name was so unremarkable that he had nearly overlooked it again. Wasn't she the protagonist of Sakura Quest, another youth anime themed around "working girls" that P.A. Works had released after Shirobako?

However, compared to Shirobako, Sakura Quest lagged far behind in both reputation and popularity. Once its broadcast period ended, almost nobody discussed it anymore.

Jiang Hang quite liked P.A. Works' art style, and he had followed Sakura Quest through to the end when it aired. But after several years, he really had not remembered the protagonist's name right away. Fortunately, her recollection involving being a "king" had made him remember.

Secretary Koharu Is Becoming Assistant Koharu~

The story of Sakura Quest was not complicated either. A girl who longed to remain in Tokyo unexpectedly received a commission, so she went to a tourist town that had once flourished but had long since declined. There, she became its "king"—or promotional ambassador—and worked hard to revitalize the local economy.

Jiang Hang remembered that when Sakura Quest aired, In the Name of the People was also hugely popular on television. Because of the meme about Secretary Dakang caring deeply about GDP, Koharu Yoshino, who went to the countryside to revitalize its economy, gained the nickname "Secretary Koharu." Barrage comments often floated across the screen saying things like, "Secretary Koharu, you need to think about our village's GDP!"

Thinking back on it now, it was quite amusing.

But reminiscing was one thing. For Jiang Hang, this presented a choice he had never even dared imagine in the past.

After remembering Koharu Yoshino's identity, he had used Eagle Eye to confirm it. As expected, she also emitted a red glow from Eagle Eye's perspective. However, compared to the intense red surrounding Conan, the red light on this girl was much dimmer. He had no idea what the difference between the two meant.

He was certain that if he did not interfere with Koharu Yoshino's life, she would naturally walk the path of becoming Secretary Koharu, just like in the anime. But what would happen if he chose to make her his assistant here?

With that thought in mind, Jiang Hang rested his chin on his hand and asked her, "Miss Koharu Yoshino... Do you know what position you're applying for?"

Koharu Yoshino, who had just thought she had no chance, seemed to grab onto a lifeline upon hearing Jiang Hang's words.

"I know. It's an assistant position at the Pathfinder Detective Agency. I-I usually enjoy detective mysteries like Sherlock Holmes. I'm personally very... very interested in deduction too, and detective is also a very 'special' profession to many people..."

Even Jiang Hang could tell at a glance that she was lying. Koharu Yoshino probably only knew Sherlock Holmes' name. Jiang Hang believed that if he casually followed up with one or two questions about Sherlock Holmes, she would immediately expose herself.

But he did not do that. Instead, he chose to tentatively believe what she said.

"Then have you prepared yourself mentally?"

"Prepared myself mentally...?" Koharu Yoshino froze for a moment, then hurriedly nodded hard. "As long as it's something you need me to do, I'll do it!"

Saying something like "I'll do whatever you need me to do" in an ordinary interview was basically the same as telling the interviewer, "I actually can't do anything." That kind of self-destructive statement would have ended her chances long ago if the interviewer had been anyone other than Jiang Hang.

"It's not about making you do anything. Your work will be simple. What I mean is, yesterday, I assisted the police in solving a robbery worth 600 million yen. The three suspects arrested were members of the Italian Mafia, and they had real guns..."

Jiang Hang watched the girl across from him abruptly turn pale.

"And as a detective, I'll definitely deal with all kinds of murder cases in the future. Investigating at crime scenes up close is normal. As my assistant, you'll certainly accompany me to face all sorts of murder scenes in the future. Do you think you can handle that?"

The girl's face instantly went white.

She had never considered that question before. She had simply received an interview notice and come here to try her luck. She had never expected to hear something like this from Jiang Hang.

Is this what a detective's life is like... This is way too terrifying! Aren't most detectives just responsible for finding cats and dogs, or gathering evidence of affairs? Why did it turn into terrifying cases like Mafia robberies and murder cases when this guy talked about it?!

"N-No problem. My adaptability... is actually pretty good. If I work hard, then there definitely... definitely won't be a problem."

Koharu Yoshino said that with no confidence whatsoever.

"Fine. Come to my agency tomorrow to sign the contract. The probation period is one month. I think you know the agency's address. If there's no issue, you can leave now. If you can't adapt or don't want to do it, just let me know," Jiang Hang said, making his decision as he looked at the anxious girl.

The system had said yesterday that he could do whatever he wanted anyway. Sooner or later, he was going to let Ran learn Conan's true identity. Rewriting the plot of another anime from the beginning did not seem particularly strange.

If Koharu Yoshino really could not handle the assistant job, then at worst, he could send her to that place.

As for Koharu Yoshino, she habitually assumed he was telling her to go home and wait for the results. She stood up and answered, "Okay, I understand... Wait, I got hired?"

Koharu Yoshino's eyes widened. Since when had interviews become so easy? She had been nervous for so long and imagined all sorts of terrifying things. She herself had thought she had no chance, yet she was hired in the blink of an eye?

She replayed Jiang Hang's words over and over, confirming that he had said to sign the contract tomorrow rather than go home and wait for further notice.

Just like that, she had somehow... found a job with pay that would make most people her age jealous?

"It's only probation. If you feel it isn't suitable, the contract can be terminated at any time," Jiang Hang reminded her from the side.

Though he had added the word probation, it was obvious that Koharu Yoshino was still floating when she left the meeting room.

Jiang Hang did not mind. In a few days, he would take her to a crime scene, and she would probably figure out whether she could adapt or not.

There were still several interviews left. Aside from Shizuka Sakaki's interview, Jiang Hang decided to speed up the interviews with the others.

He basically had the applicants introduce themselves, symbolically asked a few standard questions, then immediately began asking them questions based on cases from detective novels.

Those applicants probably had not expected that applying to be a receptionist assistant at a detective agency would require them to be familiar with the plots of detective novels. After Jiang Hang casually asked a few questions, they all fell one after another, ultimately leaving the meeting room with their heads lowered in disappointment.

He felt a little sorry for the other girls who had come to interview, but who could blame him? Jiang Hang had already known Koharu Yoshino and Shizuka Sakaki through a screen several years ago.

It Feels Like Life Has Reached Its Peak

When it was Shizuka Sakaki's turn, perhaps because the previous interviewees had all left looking dejected, even she, the final interviewee, could not help worrying about how difficult this interview would be.

Shizuka Sakaki was twenty years old. After graduating from high school, she had attended a voice acting school for training related to becoming a voice actress.

After two years, she had successfully graduated from voice acting school. Unfortunately, she still had not signed with an agency.

On top of attending a specialized voice actor training institute every week to continue studying, she had no choice but to find a part-time job to support herself.

She had originally planned to work at an izakaya, but the agency suddenly called her last night and told her that her resume had caught the eye of a detective agency. They hoped she would come for an interview today.

As a half-baked fan of criminal investigation dramas, Shizuka Sakaki was quite interested in the profession of detective.

Thinking that a special place like a detective agency might let her see and learn many things that could perhaps provide reference for future voice acting work, she had come to interview.

However, the interviewees before her seemed to have had poor results. The first applicant, a pink-haired girl, appeared to have been hit hard enough that she could barely walk steadily when she came out. The applicants after her also emerged with looks of disbelief, as though questioning their entire lives. Who knew what kind of questions they had faced inside the meeting room?

Watching applicant after applicant who were aiming for full-time positions fall, even she, who had only come to try her luck for part-time work, could not help feeling nervous.

Relax... Relax. This is just a simple interview. There's nothing to be afraid of... Just think of it as an audition... Shizuka Sakaki comforted herself inwardly.

However, after imagining the scene as an audition, Shizuka Sakaki became even more uneasy.

She had attended an audition not long ago, only to be utterly crushed by a group of professional voice actresses. Combined with how excessively nervous she had been, she had been nothing more than cannon fodder.

When she entered the meeting room, the interviewer was an exceptionally young man.

So young. He looks about my age, doesn't he? Opening a detective agency in Tokyo at such a young age, he must be very capable.

And his gaze is so sharp. It feels like I'm being watched by an eagle... Just feeling Jiang Hang's eyes on her made Shizuka Sakaki feel restless.