Ekoda City — 4:40 p.m.
"Sorry for the wait."
"It's exactly 4:40, so technically you're right on time. But this is a pretty remote place to meet, you know."
"Well, that's because a super-beauty like me getting into your car in public would cause you trouble, detective. Hoo hoo hoo~"
"..."
That was… not untrue.
She said it with zero shame, but it was enough to make everyone else feel embarrassed on her behalf.
It was a quiet afternoon when Koizumi Akako stepped into Hayashi Yoshiki's car at the alley entrance near the Ekoda Library.
And while her comments were eccentric, her beauty was undeniable.
Today, she wore a burgundy short-sleeved T-shirt and blue denim hot pants that emphasized her figure. Sitting gracefully in the passenger seat, she looked like a professional model—long legs, perfect curves, and an effortless aura. Her crimson-purple hair shimmered as she casually brushed it aside, her elegant eyes glowing with mischievous allure.
"So… where are we going?"
"Isn't it a little inappropriate to ask a girl that question?"
"I'm not really the assertive type. Besides, I don't know much about Ekoda City."
"I figured someone like you would come fully armed with a plan."
Akako snorted softly, a hint of pride in her tone.
But Hayashi Yoshiki just smiled and kept his eyes on the road. He didn't engage, nor did he seem particularly affected by her charm.
What the hell?
It was one thing not to flirt over text, but even face-to-face, this man showed no interest? Just like that frustrating Kaito Kuroba!
Akako felt a flash of annoyance—but composed herself quickly.
Today wasn't really a date. It was a calculated meeting.
She had something prepared… something magical. Her goal was to uncover Hayashi Yoshiki's secret—and maybe, just maybe, make this terrifying man fall hopelessly for her.
The very thought made her grin mischievously.
"Alright then, maybe I should just give this to you first."
"What's that?"
"Something I made myself. Accept it with gratitude."
"...Chocolate? But it's not Valentine's Day."
"You seriously think a witch like me follows human customs? Waiting for a holiday to give something away? Hah—what a narrow-minded man."
"Fair enough. Then I'll accept it."
Hayashi Yoshiki took the chocolate calmly.
Akako was pleased—but not satisfied.
She needed to see him eat it.
Ekoda City had a slower pace than Beika. As they drove leisurely, they passed a municipal aquarium.
"Want to stop by?"
"Sure, why not?"
Akako didn't care where they went. She had one goal: get him to eat that chocolate.
Yoshiki, meanwhile, had his own reasons for indulging in the outing.
They wandered the aquarium as if on a real date. While Akako went to the restroom, Yoshiki examined the chocolate she gave him.
Interesting…
After some preparation, he waited for her to return.
"What do you think?"
"The fish variety is nice."
"I was thinking of hitting a seafood place for dinner."
"That's not romantic at all!"
Despite the protest, she didn't object—and so dinner was set.
During the meal, Hayashi Yoshiki asked many questions about magic.
Akako was surprisingly open. She didn't mind revealing the basics of witchcraft.
In turn, she asked him about this ability to "foresee the deaths of others." He gave a vague answer.
Just keep pretending. Once you eat my chocolate, I'll know everything…
When dinner ended, Akako leaned in with feigned casualness:
"Aren't you going to open the gift I gave you?"
"The chocolate? I'm not really into sweets..."
Knew it!
She internally scoffed—but kept a straight face.
"Who said it's chocolate?"
"Isn't it?"
Cornered, Hayashi Yoshiki pulled out the package and opened it.
Yup. Chocolate.
He peeled one open and took a bite.
Akako watched intently.
The flavors were deep—bittersweet chocolate, honey, spices, nuts. He wasn't fond of sweets, but he ate about a third.
"The chocolate's really good," he said.
"...That's it?"
"What?"
"Nothing."
He smiled gently. "Sorry, I've got work to do. Shall I take you home?"
"...Don't you feel anything?"
"Anything?"
He looked genuinely confused.
Akako froze.
The magic didn't work!?
This wasn't a pill—it was magic. She had enchanted the chocolate herself. Anyone who ate it would become her love slave!
Yet… nothing?
Was Hayashi Yoshiki immune?
As he drove her back, Akako stared at him, utterly perplexed.
At a red light, she blurted:
"Are you sure you don't feel anything?"
"Hmm? Akako-san, you've been acting odd since I ate that chocolate. Could it be… there was a spell on it?"
"!"
Caught off guard, Akako panicked.
"W-What are you talking about!? As if I'd do something so childish!"
"I see."
He smiled.
The light turned green, and they moved on.
The shadows of streetlamps flicked across the windshield.
Koizumi Akako bit her nails, seething inside.
First Kaito Kuroba, now this guy...!
But Hayashi Yoshiki was even worse. He actually ate the chocolate.
There had to be something strange about him.
When they arrived at her house—an elegant Western-style residence in the suburbs—she was still fixated on it.
She didn't realize they'd stopped until he said:
"We're here."
Snapping out of it, she went to unbuckle her seatbelt.
Click. Click...
"It's stuck?"
"Let me check."
He leaned in.
She didn't resist. The belt was tight, and he needed to move closer to fix it.
From her angle, she could see his perfect profile, his focused eyes, his serious expression…
Click.
The belt came loose.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
He looked up and smiled at her.
Just one glance—
"What's wrong?"
"Hm?"
He didn't answer.
He just stared at her.
His gaze was intense. Too intense. Her breath caught.
"W-What's wrong...?"
The moonlight streamed faintly into the car.
She could just barely make out the shape of his collarbone beneath his shirt. His eyes shimmered darkly.
"Akako-san..."
"Wa—?"
Before she could react—
He kissed her.
Her eyes widened.
Mint.
Warmth.
Presence.
It overwhelmed her senses.
She instantly knew:
The magic hadn't failed.
But just as quickly, he pulled away.
"S-Sorry…"
His handsome face looked dazed. Confused. Guilty.
"I don't know what came over me… I couldn't help myself."
Koizumi Akako stared.
His lips were slightly parted. Moist.
Her face flushed red.
Without thinking, she shouted,
"T-This isn't over!"
And bolted from the car.
She slammed the door of her home and leaned against it, gasping.
What the hell just happened?!
Her cheeks were burning.
This was her first time seeing the chocolate's magic take hold—for once, it had worked.
But instead of victory, she felt flustered. Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
"Master Akako, is everything alright?"
The old butler appeared.
"It's nothing."
She stormed past him and went straight to the bathroom.
The hot shower did nothing to settle her nerves. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw it again—that kiss.
Afterward, she stood in front of the mirror.
She was beautiful.
Delicate, sultry, dignified—her charm unquestionable. She had always been proud of her allure.
But now?
She grit her teeth.
"Damn you, Hayashi Yoshiki…!"
On the News
She flipped on the TV.
Breaking News:
"Today's Incident: Why the Tokyo Loop Line Delayed Operations"
"Due to an emergency, the train ran without stopping for nearly 40 minutes."
Inspector Megure Juzo appeared on the screen.
"We received a threat—five bombs planted on the Yamanote Line. If train speed fell below 60 km/h, or if the sunset, they'd detonate. We had no choice but to reroute and maintain motion for passenger safety."
"We must give special thanks to Detective Hayashi Yoshiki. He helped us decode the criminal's logic in real-time and prevented a disaster."
"We've located the suspect, and arrest procedures are underway."
A reporter asked, "You said the detective solved it immediately?"
"Yes," Megure said. "Here's a recording of our call."
Hayashi's calm voice rang out from the speakers:
"The bomb may be buried between the tracks. If the train slows or light is blocked too long…"
Akako's jaw dropped.
Wasn't that just 30 minutes before he met me!?
He did something that incredible—and still showed up perfectly on time…?!
She was speechless.
For once, the witch felt thoroughly outclassed.