One by one, with the help of the Internet, the names recorded in the Death Note were checked and confirmed to be correct.
Once satisfied, Hayashi Yoshiki tore off the page... and burned it.
Despite its long use, the Death Note still looked immaculate—untouched by time or sin.
Yoshiki carefully placed it into a hidden cabinet.
Inside, alongside the Death Note, were the opening story outline for a manga adaptation of Death Note, scrawled character profiles, and a merchant invoice for a customized notebook. If anyone discovered the contents, they would assume it was nothing more than a writer's creative process.
Now, all that remained… was to wait.
The intelligence work had been completed.
Though Hayashi Yoshiki had flown to the United States, the task force continued to monitor occasional "accidental" deaths. He had made certain there would be no pattern, no pause. The killer would not rest, even if he left Japan.
Ding-ling-ling! Ding-ling-ling!
The phone rang sharply. Seeing the name "Xiao Lan"—better known to him as Ran Mouri—flash across the screen, Yoshiki answered without hesitation.
"Hello, Ran?"
"Yoshiki-nii, aren't you at the office today?"
"No, I'm at home right now... Are you at the office?"
"Yes. I rang the doorbell, but there was no response. It seems Mr. Amuro isn't here either."
"Mr. Amuro is off today..." Yoshiki said calmly, and without waiting to hear why she had come, he added:
"Wait for me there, Ran. I'll be right over."
"Okay. I'll wait for you, Yoshiki-nii. And it's fine—no need to rush."
Her voice was bright and gentle.
Smiling to himself, Hayashi Yoshiki quickly gathered his things and left the house.
He drove straight to the office courtyard, where Ran stood at the entrance, holding something in her hands. When she saw him step out of the car, she beamed.
"Yoshiki-nii!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He quickened his steps, unlocking the door with a smile.
"Why did you come so suddenly?"
Ran giggled.
"Hehe~"
She didn't answer, just smiled sweetly and followed him inside. Once in front of the sofa, she handed him the bag she had been carrying.
She looked so cute doing it—just like a scene from a shoujo manga.
To Hayashi Yoshiki, Ran had inherited all the beauty of her mother, Kisaki Eri, but added to that was her youthful radiance and a dash of endearing clumsiness. Her soft, dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders, and on her day off, she wore a pink-and-white striped long-sleeved shirt with blue jeans—a simple, energetic look that matched her perfectly.
"What's this?"
The familiar scent drifting from the bag made Yoshiki pause in surprise. Almost reflexively, he accepted it.
"It's your favorite food."
Ran's smile widened.
Following her gaze, Yoshiki opened the oiled paper bag to find... a pork fillet and egg McMuffin.
Only the packaging was different.
"Wait... Did you make this?"
"Yes! While you were in America, I practiced replicating it. And finally... I got it just right!"
With her hands behind her back and a proud sparkle in her eyes, she looked radiant.
"That's incredible..."
Yoshiki was genuinely astonished.
Both the appearance and the aroma were exactly right.
"It wasn't hard at all. But it must've been frustrating for you, only being able to eat what you love in the morning, right?"
Yoshiki froze for a second.
"Thank you, Ran... But why do this all of a sudden?"
"Because... I want to do what I can for you, Yoshiki-nii."
"…"
"You're always giving so much to others. I'm always the one being taken care of, but—"
Her words trailed off as a memory surfaced: his "last words" from that day in the office.
Back then, she had done nothing. Yet he had told her he could feel her thoughtfulness.
That memory always left a small ache in her chest.
Guilt. Shame. A weight that didn't go away.
Ran was never someone who could enjoy kindness without wanting to return it tenfold. She wanted to meet him halfway—and maybe... even walk a little further for his sake.
"But what I said that day—"
"—It was from the bottom of my heart."
"Eh?"
"Your expression gave it away. I could tell in an instant."
Her face turned a brilliant shade of red.
Smiling gently, Hayashi Yoshiki leaned closer.
"But I meant every word."
"Remember that time at the Twin Towers?"
"Honestly... I was scared. I thought I might fail... and end up hurting you."
His tone dipped—low, soft. But his eyes were warm.
"But then, you smiled and said, 'Even if it doesn't work, it's okay.' That smile... I'll never forget it."
"The same thing happened in Wonderland."
"You were the only one who sensed something dangerous in the case Uncle Mouri and I took on. Even though it's long solved, your care stayed with me."
"So, Ran... really—don't think you've done nothing."
"You've done a lot."
As he said this, Hayashi Yoshiki reached out and gently patted her head.
Ran blushed again.
She had never imagined he remembered all of that... let alone that it had left such a deep impression on him.
Her heart fluttered. And her voice lowered.
"But compared to you, Yoshiki-nii—"
Before she could finish, his hand flicked softly against her forehead.
"Are we really going to compare ourselves?"
Yoshiki's touch was gentle—barely more than a tap.
Ran looked up at him with pouty lips, clearly flustered.
After a pause...
"I understand..."
She sounded almost playfully sulky.
Looking at her slightly pouting lips, Hayashi Yoshiki felt a sudden urge.
He leaned in.
Almost.
But just before the moment could tip into something more, he caught himself... and turned his gaze away, avoiding her eyes.
Ran blinked, startled.
Not again...
Did he really mean to kiss her?
Her face turned crimson, eyes dazed with sudden realization.
The first time, she convinced herself it was just her imagination.
But this was the second time.
There was no mistaking it now.
Yoshiki-nii... truly felt something for her.
"What's wrong?"
Watching her flustered expression, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled gently.
"N-no... nothing."