Chapter 11: Going Home and Waiting for the Diary Update
"In the original story, it was only Ran who broke her shoelaces. But here, even Sonoko's shoelaces snapped. It seems the Death God has indeed arrived, and his scythe has severed a bond that's lasted over a decade," Ren mused quietly to himself.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
The serialization of Detective Conan seemed to have dragged on longer than even Naruto and Bleach. With over 1,000 episodes and still no end in sight, the scythe of fate had certainly delayed the story long enough.
Shaking his head, Ren stopped paying attention to the two heroines and shifted his focus to the protagonist.
Having been recording earlier, Ren already knew where Shinichi was heading.
But there was no need to rush. He intended to take his time, ensuring he didn't cross paths with the two "model employees" of the Black Organization.
--
Slowing his pace, Ren eventually arrived at the remote location where the trade had occurred. Finding a bench along the roadside, he sat down leisurely, waiting for the next act to unfold.
Not long after, a middle-aged, overweight man emerged from an alley in a hurry. He was panting heavily, and despite it being nighttime, he wore a pair of sunglasses.
The sight made Ren raise an eyebrow in admiration.
"You're still wearing sunglasses at night? Can you even see where you're going?" he muttered, shaking his head.
After a moment, Ren continued to wait patiently. The transaction inside was likely complete, but he wasn't in a hurry to get involved.
--
Ten minutes later, Ren stood up and entered the dark alley opposite the bench. He moved quietly, his footsteps barely making a sound.
Turning a corner, he found only one figure lying on the ground, a high school boy.
The boy's head seemed to have been struck, with traces of red blood matting his hair.
No one else was in sight.
"Ah… ah…"
The boy whimpered weakly as Ren approached, his voice barely audible.
Ren's eyes lit up. The famous scene was about to begin.
Standing silently, he started recording.
The high school student, writhing helplessly on the ground, clawed at the grass with trembling hands as if trying to alleviate the pain.
His body began to shrink. Slowly but surely, the high schooler's frame diminished, his limbs growing shorter, and even his clothes becoming comically oversized.
When the transformation stopped, the boy was no longer a teenager but a child of seven or eight.
"From today on, Kudo Shinichi no longer exists," Ren murmured. "Only Edogawa Conan remains."
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Pray, Shinichi. Pray that Ran doesn't have a diary of her own, or everything about you will be exposed."
Satisfied with the recording, Ren turned and left. He had no intention of staying longer than necessary.
--
Having worked all day, Ren needed to rest. Tomorrow was Sunday, a perfect day to relax and check the reward he'd receive for today's diary entry.
As for Shinichi, now lying unconscious on the ground…
"Well, he's still breathing, isn't he? It's just a head injury. Nothing too serious," Ren muttered to himself, dismissing the matter entirely.
There was no point in getting further involved. The less he meddled, the fewer unnecessary complications he'd face.
--
After Ren's departure, two groups of people arrived at the alley.
The first group frowned at the sight of the child lying on the ground. After a moment of hesitation, they pulled out cameras and snapped a few photos before leaving.
The second group was similarly puzzled but didn't focus on the child. They took a few photos and quickly departed.
--
Meanwhile, Nagi and Kaguya received the photos from their respective bodyguards.
"A child?"
Nagi frowned as she examined the images.
"That man went into the alley, and now there's a kid lying there?"
"The murder at the amusement park happened on the roller coaster, didn't it? So why is there a child in the alley?"
Isumi chimed in, her tone cautious.
"Nagi, we should consider the safety of the child."
Maria, standing nearby, reassured her.
"Don't worry, Miss Isumi. The bodyguards have already notified the police after taking the photos. The child will be fine."
"That's a relief," Isumi said, exhaling softly.
Maria scrutinized the photos more closely and immediately noticed something strange.
"Why are the child's clothes so oversized?"
Nagi and Isumi both turned their attention back to the images.
"You're right. These clothes aren't suitable for a child at all," Nagi remarked.
The child appeared to be seven or eight years old, yet the clothing was clearly meant for an adult.
"What do you think, Isumi?" Nagi asked.
"Well, Nagi, perhaps we should wait for that gentleman to update the diary," Isumi suggested.
"That makes sense," Nagi agreed. "Since he went to the alley, he must have known something would happen there. If he left without taking action, it's likely he knew the child was safe."
The situation was undeniably strange. A child wearing adult clothes in such a context was highly suspicious. But without further clues, it was impossible to deduce what had happened.
Waiting for the diary update seemed like the best course of action.
--
As Nagi made her decision, Maria offered a practical suggestion.
"Nagi, Miss Isumi, since we're waiting for the diary update, why don't we head home?"
"Good idea," Nagi replied.
The day had been eventful, but after noon, Nagi felt restless being out in public. Having recently obtained the Vision, she wanted to experiment more with her newfound powers.
However, the crowded amusement park wasn't an ideal place to test them.
Now that they were heading home, she could finally unleash her powers freely, at least in front of Maria and Isumi.
--
Meanwhile, Kaguya silently examined the photos sent by her bodyguards.
"Hayasaka, did any Shinomiya family bodyguards accompany us on this operation?"
"No," Hayasaka replied with a shake of her head.
"Since I thought this entire operation was irrational, I used bodyguards from the Hayasaka family instead. I didn't want the Shinomiya family to catch wind of it."
"Are they trustworthy?"
"They're loyal. I selected them personally from my mother's recommendations."
"Well done."
Hayasaka's caution reassured Kaguya.
"There's no need for us to stay at this amusement park any longer. As for the identity of the child in the alley, I trust the diary will provide answers soon enough."
"Understood. I'll also make sure our people remain silent about this operation," Hayasaka assured her.
"Good."
Chapter 12: "Source Castle"
After the two groups of people left Tropical Land, the child lying unconscious in the alley was discovered by the police.
The boy's head injury and fever were apparent, and the officers quickly contacted the hospital. They carefully transported him, along with his oversized clothes, to receive medical attention.
--
Thirty minutes later, Ren arrived back at his home.
The first thing he did was turn on the air conditioner.
Despite the temperature not being particularly low, the house always seemed to have a chilling atmosphere. Thankfully, since water and electricity were free, there was no need to worry about utility costs.
Next, he grabbed a fresh change of clothes and headed to the bathroom to wash off the day's sweat and fatigue.
After a quick shower and change, Ren sat down in the living room, freshly cleaned and looking composed. He retrieved his diary and began to add to the day's entry.
--
[Diary Entry]
[ Shinichi Kudo, Shinichi Kudo, why did you have to provoke those killers?]
[Well, now your fate is sealed.]
[You were knocked out with a baseball bat and forced to drink a drug developed by the organization. If you weren't the protagonist, you'd probably be dead in Tropical Land right now.]
[For anyone curious, here's a video of Shinichi Kudo shrinking into a grade schooler. Enjoy it, but don't spread it around.]
Ren inserted the video of Shinichi's transformation into the diary. The scene was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
[For those who might have been in that alley, don't worry. Shinichi Kudo, Beika City's walking death god will ensure murders happen wherever he goes. He's the root cause of the city's frequent cases.]
[He loves meddling in other people's business, basking in the spotlight, and solving cases. But in his obsession with mysteries, he often neglects the people around him.]
[Shinichi isn't a bad person. He's just like any ordinary 17-year-old, reckless and impulsive. Unfortunately for him, his recklessness led him to smash headfirst into a steel plate, turning him into a child.]
[Next stop: Teitan Elementary School. For now, Teitan High School will be safe.]
[I can finally relax a little.]
[By now, you've probably figured out who I am. While I personally find it frustrating, I had a feeling this diary exposure would work like this.]
[My identity being exposed and the lottery mention must have made some of you consider capturing me, right?]
[Well, you're not wrong to think that way.]
[If I were in your position, I'd want to do the same. But I'd also stop to wonder: why did this fool expose himself?]
[If you've been pondering that question and think you've guessed my motives, congratulations—you're wrong.]
[I truly had no reason at all.]
[Well, today's entry ends here. Sweet dreams to all.]
--
With the diary complete, Ren set his pen down and exhaled slowly.
"Now, it's time to verify my theory."
--
[Diary Completed for Day 2]
[You have earned one lottery spin.]
As expected, the large roulette wheel appeared before him.
He reached out and lightly tapped the wheel, watching as it spun rapidly.
When the wheel slowed and stopped, the pointer landed on a name.
[Lord of Mysteries]
[Obtained: Sefirah Castle(Source Castle)]
"Yesss!"
Seeing the words "Sefirah Castle," Ren felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"My guess was correct. This diary operates on specific rules."
"The more people who read my diary, the greater my chances of drawing something extraordinary."
Staring at the words "Sefirah Castle," Ren was certain now that the "Wild Card" trait he had obtained the previous day wasn't a coincidence. It was a deliberate setup by fate.
"Wild Card" was perfectly compatible with the Lord of Mysteries' magical potion system.
And now, with Sefirah Castle the protagonist's ultimate cheat from Lord of Mysteries in his possession, Ren knew his next steps were clear.
His path of power had been decided: the sequence system from Lord of Mysteries. It was as if fate had laid everything out for him.
"If I think about it, this might align with Lord of Mysteries' philosophy: the influence I've created is simply fate's way of balancing the scales by gifting me power."
Though the thought intrigued him, there was no need to dwell on it. What mattered now was how much of Sefirah Castle's power he could use.
"I remember something about needing a ceremony…"
Ren frowned. It had been over sixteen years since he'd last read Lord of Mysteries, and the details were hazy.
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head, and he instinctively closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he found himself in another world.
--
The air was thick with mist, flowing like water. Everything around him was shrouded in a hazy gray, as though he stood at the dawn of creation itself.
Ren's heart raced as he surveyed the ethereal scene.
He reached out with his hand, and the mist began to coalesce into solid forms.
One by one, massive white stone pillars rose from the ground. The misty sky above shifted, revealing a star-filled cosmos.
At the center of it all, a long table over ten meters in length appeared, accompanied by exquisitely crafted chairs.
Walking along the edge of the table, Ren trailed his fingers across its surface before taking the main seat.
Crossing his hands to support his chin, he smirked.
"Am I the perfect cosplayer now?"
He chuckled at his own joke, shaking off his brief lapse into chuunibyou antics.
"Let's see what this place can do."
--
Sefirah Castle held power far beyond the sequences, and it could also grant access to individual sequence abilities.
Ren recalled how Klein had once borrowed the power of the Miracle Invoker to resurrect himself. If Klein could do that with limited access to Sefirah Castle, what could Ren achieve now?
Taking a deep breath, Ren focused his will.
A small flame appeared in his palm, flickering steadily.
"It works! It really works!"
His excitement, however, was tempered by realism.
"This is only a temporary gift, though."
"The current power is equivalent to Sequence 7: 'Magician.' It's short-term and borrowed. But I can feel Sefirah Castle establishing a deeper connection with me. As that connection strengthens, the power I can temporarily borrow will also grow."
For now, though, Ren felt reassured.
"I finally have a power I can rely on."
Chapter 13: Impossible! Absolutely Impossible!
Nagi now back in her villa, read the latest diary entry.
When she saw the video of a high school student shrinking into a child, a chill ran down her spine.
"Isumi, under normal circumstances, could a high school student turn into a child?"
"Hmm… even evil spirits skilled at manipulation can't do such a thing easily. At most, they might drain a person's energy or render them unconscious, but shrinking someone's body is unheard of," Isumi replied seriously. "Unless it's some sort of transformation spell. But that's an advanced technique, far beyond what ordinary evil spirits are capable of."
"Then, what about medicine? Could ordinary medicine do it?"
"???"
Isumi tilted her head in confusion at the sudden question.
"Nagi-chan, do you mean normal medicine? As in, not something supernatural?"
"Yes. Could it be possible?"
"Among the medicines I know, there are some extremely advanced compounds that might temporarily shrink a person's body. But such drugs are not commercially available. They're usually proprietary to certain families or organizations."
Hearing this, Nagi sighed in disbelief.
"So it's an incredibly low-probability event…"
A high school detective turned into an elementary school student by some experimental drug created by an underground organization? Even knowing the truth, it felt too absurd to accept.
"Maria, bring me the photo of the child that the bodyguards took earlier. And also, did they take a photo of Shinichi Kudo today?"
Maria nodded and quickly brought over the surveillance photos captured by the bodyguards.
The photo of Shinichi had been taken during routine surveillance, and the photo of the child lying in the alley was also ready.
Nagi took both photos and examined them closely.
Her eyes widened in realization.
"It's him! That child is Shinichi Kudo!"
"!?"
Her sudden declaration left Isumi and Maria stunned.
But when they compared the two photos, the truth became clear.
"It's the clothes!" Isumi exclaimed.
"Yes," Maria added, nodding. "The clothes in both photos are identical. The child is wearing the exact same outfit as Shinichi."
Nagi sighed, her tone filled with disbelief.
"So the story is that Shinichi Kudo saw something he shouldn't have, got hit on the head with a blunt object, and was forced to drink some experimental poison, which caused his body to shrink?"
"That seems to be the case," Nagi confirmed.
"Ah…"
Maria let out a long sigh.
"A plot like this sounds like something out of a novel or a movie. I can't believe it's actually real."
Nagi nodded but quickly reminded Maria of the diary's earlier claim.
"Maria, according to that man, we're characters in a story. And our story has somehow been integrated into reality."
Maria's head throbbed at the reminder.
"The more I think about it, the stranger this world becomes."
Seeing Maria's pained expression, Nagi couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"Maria, when we first learned about the existence of evil spirits, our world was already weird."
"…That's true."
Maria sighed again, resigning herself to the increasingly bizarre nature of their reality.
--
"Are there any other updates in the diary?" Isumi asked.
"Yes," Nagi replied. "It's about why he exposed his name."
This immediately caught both Maria and Isumi's interest.
"What did he say?"
"He claimed there was no reason for it. He just did it on a whim."
"…"
Maria and Isumi exchanged incredulous looks before speaking in unison:
"Impossible!"
--
At the same time, in the Shinomiya family villa, Hayasaka reacted the same way.
"Absolutely impossible!" she exclaimed.
"A person doesn't act without a reason. He must have had some motive for exposing himself."
"I agree," Kaguya said, her expression thoughtful.
"At first, I thought he was fishing—baiting us to act. But now, it seems more like he was conducting a test."
"A test?" Hayasaka asked, puzzled.
"Yes. Not a test for us, but a test of the diary itself," Kaguya explained.
Hayasaka's eyes widened as realization dawned.
"The lottery?"
"Exactly," Kaguya confirmed.
She was almost certain that the man had exposed himself to test whether the diary's lottery was influenced by the content he wrote.
Thinking about it, Kaguya couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
"If he succeeded in his test, he must have obtained power equal to or even greater than mine."
She sighed deeply.
"If I had acted against him yesterday, I might have succeeded."
But her cautious nature, ingrained by her family's strict upbringing, had made her hesitate.
Her suspicion and overthinking had caused her to miss out on what might have been her greatest opportunity.
"Miss Kaguya, I think it's better to avoid becoming too entangled with that man," Hayasaka advised.
"He's the diary's true owner. If the diary has any sort of protection mechanism for its host, trying to take advantage of him could backfire."
Kaguya fell silent, contemplating Hayasaka's words.
"…You're right," she admitted after a moment.
Whether or not such a mechanism existed was something only the diary's owner would know.
As a mere reader, Kaguya could only gain what the diary allowed her to. Trying to seize more might result in losing everything.
This was a lesson she had learned well from her family's teachings.
"But…" Kaguya murmured, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"At least this diary gives me the chance to gain more power."
Turning to Hayasaka, she issued a command.
"Hayasaka, practice with me tomorrow."
"Understood," Hayasaka replied, bowing slightly.
Chapter 14: Waking Up Early in the Morning Is Not Pleasant
The morning air was as fresh as ever, but for Ren, waking up today was far from pleasant.
As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of the three former owners of his home, their souls lingering in the room.
"I didn't expect there were actually three lingering spirits in this house," Ren muttered to himself, feeling a headache brewing.
He had known this house had a dark past, with murders taking place before he moved in, but seeing the evidence firsthand was unsettling.
"Looks like my habit of staggering activity times wasn't just paranoia. It actually saved me."
For the past year, he had carefully avoided staying active during certain hours, hoping to avoid any spiritual disturbances.
"But was that habit really effective?" he wondered.
In truth, Ren wasn't sure if his schedule was the reason he had avoided trouble so far. If anything, it might have been sheer dumb luck or the protection of his diary.
"Either way, it's clear I've been living on borrowed time," he thought, sitting up in bed and observing the spirits more closely.
The air around him began to swirl with mist, a manifestation of his connection to Sefirah Castle.
"Swish!"
The mist coalesced into three tendrils, resembling the tentacles of an octopus, and quickly ensnared the ferocious-looking spirits.
The spirits snarled and clawed at him, their distorted faces a grotesque reminder of their tragic ends.
"Classic movie evil ghosts," Amamiya Ren commented dryly, unimpressed by their antics.
He snapped his fingers casually.
"Snap!"
The three spirits, once menacing and filled with malice, dissolved into glowing remnants, mere lumps of energy.
Staring at the remnants, an idea sparked in Ren's mind.
"Can I turn these remnants into something useful? Perhaps an artifact?"
As if responding to his thoughts, the mist tentacles moved on their own, pulling the remnants together and condensing them into a solid form.
Before him floated an object surrounded by a faint white glow.
"Did I just think it and make it happen?" Ren wondered aloud, reaching out to grab the object.
As the glow faded, the object revealed itself to be a simple bracelet made of wooden beads. One bead bore the character for "eye."
Without hesitation, he slipped the bracelet onto his left wrist.
Holding the bracelet with his right hand, Ren felt a sharp twinge in his forehead. The bead with the "eye" character began to glow, and an ethereal, misty eye materialized in the air before him.
The eye floated around the room, observing everything before passing through the walls and venturing outside.
However, it soon reached its limit and stopped moving.
"Twenty meters," Ren noted. "That's the range."
As the strain in his forehead grew, he willed the eye to return. It dissolved into mist and reformed as part of the bracelet.
"Well, it's not bad for now," he said, examining the bracelet.
The artifact wasn't particularly powerful, but it was functional. It was clear that Sefirah Castle had imbued the remnants with some of its power, creating a temporary tool for his use.
To test its other capabilities, Ren pressed his hand against the wall. The misty "eye" character sank into the surface, leaving a faint mark.
Concentrating, he found that he could see the room from the perspective of the embedded eye.
"This is just like placing wards in a game," Ren remarked, chuckling to himself.
The bracelet allowed him to place up to three "eyes" simultaneously, which made sense given it was made from three spirits.
"If these eyes can function over long distances, this thing might be more useful than I thought," he mused.
Satisfied with his experiments, Ren stretched and got out of bed.
"Today's a day off, so I can relax a bit," he thought.
Still, he wanted to test the maximum range of the eyes and see if they could function without needing to be retrieved.
As he prepared to leave, his thoughts turned to the people who might have read his diary.
"Those people shouldn't come looking for me today," he guessed. "They've probably just obtained their powers and will need time to adjust and train."
A smirk crossed his face.
"I wonder if any of them will try to contact me directly."
With that, he began his day.
--
Meanwhile, in another city, the Sanzenin mansion was unusually lively.
Nagi normally grumpy in the morning, was up early and full of energy.
"Alright! Time to get up!" she declared, throwing off her blanket.
It was a rare sight. The girl who usually stayed in bed until noon was now standing bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Maria, who had shared the bed with her, was still fast asleep.
"Maria, wake up!" Nagi said, shaking her maid.
"Hmm…"
Maria groaned groggily, her eyes half-lidded as she struggled to process the situation.
When she finally opened her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Nagi, who was practically glowing with excitement.
"…This must be a dream," Maria mumbled, closing her eyes again.
She flopped back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her head.
"Hmm… Nagi waking up early… That's impossible. I must still be dreaming…"
Hearing this, Nagi's face flushed red with embarrassment.
She gritted her teeth and leaned closer to Maria.
"Wake up already!!!" she shouted, her voice loud enough to rattle the windows.
"Pah!"
Maria shot up in bed, startled awake by the sudden outburst.
"Nagi?! What's gotten into you?" Maria exclaimed, staring at the unusually energetic girl in disbelief.
"I have things to do!" Nagi declared, her tone filled with determination.
For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of purpose. The power of the Vision was still fresh and exhilarating, and she couldn't wait to explore its potential.
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I should've known… You're just excited about your new toy," she muttered.
Chapter 15: "Kaguya" Locked In
"Ha~"
At 8 o'clock in the morning, Isumi finally woke up, yawning softly.
The events of the previous day had taken a toll on her. Though she was an exorcist, at the end of the day, she was still a 13-year-old girl. Apart from her spiritual abilities, her stamina was no different from any ordinary teenager.
As she made her way to the hall, she was greeted by an unusual sight, Nagi sitting there with a red slap mark on her cheek. Nagi's eyes were slightly puffy, as though she had been crying.
This unexpected scene left Saginomiya Isumi utterly baffled. She couldn't help but ask with concern, "Nagi, what happened to you?"
"N-Nothing, hiss… It's nothing," Nagi stammered, waving her hand dismissively. "I was just… too excited when I woke up and accidentally bumped into something."
But even as she spoke, she winced in pain, her sharp intake of breath betraying her discomfort.
"It doesn't look like 'nothing.' Honestly, it looks more like you got slapped," Isumi remarked, narrowing her eyes.
The idea that someone had slapped Nagi seemed absurd. It couldn't have been Maria, could it? No, that was impossible.
Isumi ultimately decided to take Nagi at her word. "Alright Nagi, but you should really be more careful. Even if you're excited about your new powers, you shouldn't be so reckless when you wake up."
"I-I know… It was just a one-time thing," Nagi replied, clearly embarrassed.
As she tried to brush the topic aside, Maria entered the room, pushing a cart laden with breakfast items.
"Good morning, Miss Isumi," Maria greeted warmly. "I made milk tea this morning. Would you like a cup?"
"Thank you, Miss Maria," Isumi replied, gratefully accepting the offered tea.
The rich, creamy taste of the milk tea paired perfectly with the subtle bitterness of the black tea, helping Isumi shake off the lingering grogginess of sleep.
After a few sips, Isumi turned back to Nagi, her expression serious. "Nagi, didn't you have the bodyguards look into who else might have had a strong reaction yesterday?"
"Of course!" Nagi's mood shifted instantly. Her usual excitement returned, though she still winced occasionally from the pain on her cheek.
"The bodyguards reported that only two families entered the amusement park yesterday: the Suzuki family and the Shinomiya family."
"The Suzuki and Shinomiya families?" Isumi echoed.
"But the Suzuki family can be ruled out," Nagi added confidently.
"Why is that?"
"The second daughter of the Suzuki family went to the amusement park to accompany a friend. She was worried about her friend's date with Kudo Shinichi."
"Ah, I see," Isumi said, nodding in understanding.
Yesterday, she had seen a photo of Shinichi—though, at the time, he had already been transformed into a child. Now, she had only one question.
"How did someone on a date end up getting beaten up by members of some shady organization and drugged?"
It was a profound mystery, to say the least.
"If he was on a date, shouldn't his focus have been on the girl?" Isumi asked, genuinely perplexed.
"Exactly," Nagi agreed. "It's no wonder Miss Suzuki was worried. Shinichi is the type to attract trouble."
Nagi flipped through the report. "According to the bodyguards, the Suzuki family's car even sent her friend home after the incident."
"He left his date behind to chase after danger…" Isumi sighed. "He's not a bad person, but he clearly lacks consideration for those around him."
Shinichi's actions were brave, perhaps even admirable, but they came at the cost of neglecting the people closest to him.
"If he knew it was dangerous, he should have called the police instead of charging in by himself," Isumi said with a frown. "The police were already on the scene because of the roller coaster murder case. Why didn't he think to involve them?"
After venting her frustration, Isumi returned to the matter at hand.
"So, if it's not the Suzuki family, it must be the Shinomiya family?"
"Exactly," Nagi confirmed.
At this point, Maria produced a series of photographs. The images showed a motorhome with a frozen exterior.
Isumi studied the photos carefully.
"The photos were taken after noon, around the same time as Nagi's lottery," Maria explained.
"It seems Miss Shinomiya obtained special powers as well," Isumi concluded. "But unlike Nagi, her powers are even more uncontrollable, she froze the entire car."
The timestamp on the photos provided undeniable proof. It was almost certain that Shinomiya Kaguya, the daughter of the Shinomiya family, had gained extraordinary abilities.
"So, what are you planning to do, Nagi?" Isumi asked cautiously.
"Hehe~ Of course, I'm going to talk to her," Nagi replied with a mischievous grin.
"You're going to reveal your hand?" Isumi tilted her head in confusion.
"Is that really a good idea?"
"It's fine," Nagi said confidently, puffing out her chest. "We're not the right people to gather intelligence ourselves, but there's no harm in getting someone else to do it."
Isumi frowned. "Miss Shinomiya attends Shuchiin Academy. Even if you speak to her, it's unlikely she'll transfer schools. And even if she agrees, the Shinomiya family won't."
"Hehe~ I know that, of course," Nagi replied, unfazed.
She had already asked Maria to investigate the internal dynamics of the Shinomiya family. Armed with this knowledge, she was confident in her approach.
"That's why I need to meet Miss Shinomiya face-to-face."
Chapter 16: Shinomiya Starts to Get Nervous
After leaving home, Ren wandered through the city, testing the abilities of the bracelet by planting "eyes" at various locations.
"Just as I thought, the planted eyes have no distance limit."
He had taken a bus from one end of the city to the other and walked through numerous streets, a straight-line distance of dozens of kilometers. Yet, the planted "eyes" remained active and fully functional.
Unlike the movable eyes, which could roam freely but were tethered to him, the planted eyes functioned as static coordinates. As long as they weren't recalled, they could continuously monitor the area. Furthermore, recalling them was effortless and could be done remotely, no matter how far away they were.
When recalled, the planted "eye" would return to the bracelet instantly, as though traveling through space.
"As expected of the power of Sefirah Castle," Ren muttered to himself, marveling at the spatial manipulation capabilities reminiscent of the Door pathway.
From this, it was clear that even though the bracelet was a small prop, it possessed certain extraordinary characteristics. However, its true potential could only be unlocked by someone capable of wielding such power.
While testing the bracelet, Ren stopped at a family restaurant for lunch, taking a moment to think about his diary entry for the day.
"What should I write today?"
The content of the diary remained crucial. Every entry tied directly to the lottery, and he wanted to experiment with a mundane diary to see how it would affect the outcome.
Suddenly, one of the "eyes" he had planted vibrated, signaling an event.
Ren shifted his attention to the location the "eye" was monitoring.
Through the eye, he saw a man in a baseball cap gripping a little girl by the neck and dragging her into an elementary school. The schoolyard was empty, it was the weekend, and there wasn't even a guard on duty.
"A kidnapping?"
The situation was obvious. Without hesitation, Ren put down his chopsticks and walked to a nearby public telephone booth to call the police.
Using his personal phone would leave a trace, and that was a complication he preferred to avoid.
--
[110 Emergency Services. How can I assist you?]
"I just saw a man wearing a baseball cap dragging a little girl into Futabashi Elementary School. It's the weekend, so there's no one there. I suspect it's a kidnapping."
[Are you certain?]
"The location is Futabashi Elementary School. Given the circumstances, I don't see any other explanation."
[Understood. Thank you for the report. We'll dispatch officers immediately.]
"Be careful, he might be armed with a knife."
[Noted. Thank you for the warning.]
After hanging up, Ren returned to the restaurant, sat back at his table, and resumed eating his lunch as though nothing had happened.
--
The Metropolitan Police Department immediately relayed the information to Inspector Juzo Megure, who was patrolling nearby.
"A kidnapping at Futabashi Elementary School?"
Megure frowned, glancing out the car window. The school wasn't far from their location.
"Sato, turn off the siren and head to Futabashi Elementary School. Notify nearby patrol units to assist."
"Understood," replied Sato Miwako, the female officer driving the car. She turned off the siren and used the radio to alert other officers in the area.
--
Meanwhile, Ren continued eating, keeping an eye on the situation through the planted "eye."
"The police are quite efficient when they're in the right mood," he mused, watching as seven or eight officers began sweeping the school grounds.
The elementary school wasn't large, and there were only a few places where someone could hide. It didn't take long for the officers to locate the suspect in the school's storage room.
Five officers moved quietly, their guns drawn. Within moments, they kicked the door open and stormed in.
Three minutes later, two officers emerged, escorting the handcuffed man. A female officer followed, gently comforting the crying little girl.
"Hmm, not bad," Ren muttered to himself, nodding in approval. "When they're not acting as background characters in a mystery drama, the police can be quite capable."
With the situation resolved, he recalled the "eye" planted at the school.
He had already decided on the theme for today's diary entry.
"I'll write about how I helped the police catch a kidnapper," he thought. "It's a mundane event, but it'll serve as a good test for the lottery."
With that decided, Ren finished his lunch and prepared to head home, concluding his day's experiment with the bracelet.
--
Elsewhere, the Shinomiya household was in a state of quiet tension.
Today, two unexpected visitors had arrived: Sanzenin Nagi and Saginomiya Isumi.
Their arrival immediately drew the attention of the entire household. Even Shinomiya Oko, the eldest brother and presumed heir of the Shinomiya family, couldn't ignore the implications.
Kaguya's sudden connection to these two prominent young ladies could shift the family dynamics entirely.
Oko's gaze darkened as he pondered the situation.
"How did Kaguya manage to establish ties with the Sanzenin family?" he muttered to himself.
No one had an answer.
--
In a private room of the Shinomiya mansion, Kaguya sat across from Nagi and Isumi. On the table between them was a photo—a photo that left Kaguya with no room for denial.
The atmosphere was tense. Only two maids stood nearby, silently observing.
Kaguya's expression was calm, but her mind was racing.
"So, Miss Sanzenin and Miss Saginomiya, your experiences are the same as mine?"
"No," Nagi replied with a sly smile. "Only you and I share the same experience. Isumi is just here to accompany me."
"Friends, then?" Kaguya asked, her tone neutral.
It was no secret that Nagi and Isumi had a close relationship, but Kaguya hadn't expected them to share such personal secrets.
"So, Miss Sanzenin, is this a confrontation?" Kaguya asked, her sharp eyes locking onto Nagi's.
Chapter 17: The Two Young Ladies Join Forces
"It's more of mutual cooperation than a confrontation."
"Although we are different individuals, we share the same fate."
Kaguya did not object to this.
Indeed, they did share the same fate.
Since Nagi had the diary as well, Kaguya was certain that she too had received the power granted by it.
Nagi propped her chin up with both hands and said, "Your status within the Shinomiya family doesn't seem very good, does it?"
"What exactly does Miss Sanzenin mean by that?"
"Hee~ Do you want to control the Shinomiya family?"
As soon as these words left Nagi's mouth, Kaguya's hesitation from the day before vanished completely.
"I can control the Shinomiya family myself. As long as I master this power, I can use force to rule the entire Shinomiya family and bring it under my control."
"Oh~ So you've already thought about it."
"Of course I have. Because of my background, I've never been accepted by the Shinomiya family. I was merely a princess waiting to be married off. If I can escape that fate, naturally, I would think about how to take control."
"But force alone isn't enough. If you use sheer force, most members of your family will only view you as a special individual, rather than as someone who deserves to rule. They'll interfere with your life more than ever."
Kaguya fell silent.
Indeed, even with overwhelming power, unless she could fully control the Shinomiya family's assets and structure, interference in her life would remain inevitable.
She could resolve this by ruthlessly eliminating anyone who disrespected her, but could she really do such a thing?
The answer was obvious—it was unlikely.
She had to admit that seizing the position of heir to the Shinomiya family would be nearly impossible on her own.
"So, is Miss Sanzenin offering this condition to me?"
"Yes. If you're willing, I can help you fully control the Shinomiya family and claim the position of heir."
This was no small statement.
If anyone else had said this, Kaguya would never have believed it.
But coming from Sanzenin Nagi, with the Sanzenin family's vast influence in both politics and business, such a claim carried real weight.
If Nagi wanted to, she could use the Sanzenin family's name to pressure the Shinomiya family, forcing them into submission.
Kaguya was certain that the Shinomiya family's empire, no matter how vast, would collapse instantly if Sanzenin turned against them.
To avoid total destruction, the Shinomiya family would have no choice but to surrender and submit.
After a moment of contemplation, Shinomiya Kaguya finally spoke.
"You're offering this because of the diary?"
"Yes. You should know by now, wealth is useless compared to power."
Nagi's blunt statement resonated deeply with Kaguya.
In the past, she might have misunderstood the meaning of those words. But now that she had tasted real power, she understood them completely.
Wealth and influence were fleeting. True power was the only thing that mattered.
"He revealed his name to test the diary's rules," Nagi continued.
"But since he's exposed both his name and the city he lives in, it would be inappropriate for us not to take the initiative to contact him."
"For him, us reaching out and giving him material for the diary is mutually beneficial."
Nagi's intentions were now crystal clear, and Kaguya understood them perfectly.
"So, I'll also be part of this test."
"Exactly. He doesn't know who has access to the diary yet, so we need you to confirm whether our theories are correct."
"The position of heir to the Shinomiya family feels cheap in comparison."
"On the contrary, it's incredibly valuable, it's a test for the diary's host."
Nagi's lighthearted retort momentarily broke Kaguya's icy demeanor, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Indeed. Comparing the heir to the Shinomiya family with that person is like comparing night and day."
Although that person's identity seemed ordinary, his hidden depth was unparalleled.
"By the way, Shinomiya, have you drawn your lottery reward for today?"
"Not yet."
"Why don't we try it now? My guess is, we'll get nothing good today."
"I have the same feeling."
The two of them exchanged a glance before taking out their diaries. They spun the large roulette wheel, and soon the results appeared.
[Thank you for participating.]
Yes, the results were exactly as they had expected. Not only did they fail to obtain anything good, they didn't receive anything at all.
The sight of those four words made both of their faces twitch involuntarily.
They looked at each other and saw the shared helplessness in their eyes.
Nagi let out a long sigh.
"It seems the diary's rules for us are different from its rules for him."
"Yes. His rules are those of the host, the diary's owner, while ours are merely those of readers."
Kaguya had reached the same conclusion.
"We observed him yesterday, and he reminded us about the lottery, which is why we received good rewards."
"As the diary's owner, his connection to us or the increase in the number of people reading his diary—directly benefits him."
"As for us, we probably need to interact with him directly to improve our chances in the lottery."
"The key lies with him."
A large portion of their assumptions had been confirmed, but some aspects still needed further testing.
The thought of actively approaching such a special individual gave Kaguya a headache.
She was not someone who enjoyed initiating contact with strangers.
However, that wasn't the most pressing issue right now.
What truly mattered was her position as heir to the Shinomiya family.
"So, Miss Sanzenin, will you transfer schools to meet him?"
"Hmm…"
Nagi looked conflicted for a moment.
"If it's necessary, then yes. We'll make contact with him directly."
"Understood."
Kaguya nodded slightly.
"So, when does Miss Sanzenin plan to act?"
"Right now, of course."
With a sly grin, Nagi pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Old Geezer, I need you to do me a favor."
Chapter 18: Three Days, Change of Heir
"A favour?"
In a private villa on a remote island, Mikado Sanzenin was genuinely surprised. His granddaughter, Nagi, who rarely sought assistance, was now asking him for help.
His surprise quickly gave way to a pleased smile.
"Go on, it's rare for you to need something from me today."
Since it was unusual for his granddaughter to make a request, Mikado decided to take her seriously and not tease her with his usual jokes.
"It's like this, I want the Shinomiya family to change their heir."
"Huh?"
"Did the Shinomiya family offend you?"
Not likely. Mikado didn't think the Shinomiya family had the courage to provoke the Sanzenin family.
"I met a friend today, and I want to help her."
"A friend? You mean the daughter of the Shinomiya family?"
Thinking of the Shinomiya family's daughter, he recalled her immediately, a child with a cold and aloof demeanor.
But how did Nagi end up befriending someone like her?
"That's rare. I didn't think you'd interact with those types of children who are difficult to approach."
"Old man… can you do it or not?"
"Just call me 'Grandpa,' and I'll do it."
"… Grandpa."
Hearing her soft and reluctant "Grandpa" made Mikado pause for a moment, his heart skipping a beat.
How many years had it been since he last heard her call him that?
He couldn't even remember how long it had been.
"Three days."
"In three days, the Shinomiya family will have a new heir."
The weight of those words was terrifying.
If spoken publicly, they would shake the business and political worlds. But coming from Mikado Sanzenin, it was a simple declaration of fact.
He truly had the power to make it happen.
Mikado didn't bother asking why his granddaughter wanted this done.
If it was something Nagi desired, then the Shinomiya family would simply have to comply.
Of course, Mikado wasn't a gentle or diplomatic man.
He was infamous for his ruthlessness.
He wouldn't negotiate with the Shinomiya family over the matter of succession. Instead, he'd break their limbs, and then step on their heads to say, "Shinomiya, kneel down. Let's talk about your family's heir."
After hearing his response, Nagi glanced at Kaguya, who had been listening silently nearby.
"Old man, don't die on me just yet okay? I still have things I want to do."
"Hehe~ Don't worry, little Nagi. If nothing else, this old man has a long life ahead of him."
"Good."
She chuckled and hung up the phone.
Kaguya slowly regained her composure after hearing their conversation.
"This difference is… overwhelming."
Thinking about how she was constantly belittled and suppressed within the Shinomiya family, while Nagi was doted on by her own family. it was a stark and undeniable contrast.
Taking a deep breath, Kaguya pushed down the sour emotions rising in her heart.
"Three days… As expected of the Sanzenin family."
She offered her praise without hesitation.
Now, she fully understood the sheer power of the Sanzenin family.
Kaguya had no doubts about Nagi's words. In fact, she had already started imagining what the Shinomiya family would endure over the next three days.
But Nagi didn't seem the least bit proud.
"That's just the old man's power."
"He may do some ridiculous things, but his vision has always been spot-on."
"This is more than just good vision."
Kaguya didn't think such accomplishments could be explained away so simply.
There were countless intelligent people in the world, but only one Mikado Sanzenin had reached such heights.
That level of influence couldn't be attributed to luck or foresight alone.
"But does this count as stepping on the Shinomiya family?"
Her emotions were conflicted.
Yet, deep down, there was a faint and inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
"When the old man finishes his task and you officially become the heir to the Shinomiya family, it'll be time to act. This test is crucial."
"Understood."
Kaguya agreed.
The test involving that person and the rules of the diary was indeed critical for their future plans.
"Also, even after you become the heir, you shouldn't personally manage the Shinomiya family's business. Delegate the work to a few trustworthy people."
"You're not inheriting the Shinomiya family just to play their money-making games."
Kaguya nodded.
The profitability of the family business was no longer her concern. Her focus should be on strengthening herself.
If she became strong enough, wealth would naturally follow.
"Hayasaka…"
"Ah, if you're planning to use your maid's connections, you'd better clarify some things with her first."
The sudden warning caught Kaguya off guard, but she quickly understood.
"Hayasaka… is it my eldest brother or my third brother?"
At this moment, Hayasaka lowered her head, her expression dark and troubled.
She had known this day would come eventually, but she hadn't expected it to arrive so soon.
"It's Oko."
"Hmph, of course it's my eldest brother. He always likes to target the people around me."
Kaguya's face turned icy, her anger barely contained.
It was an outright betrayal, orchestrated by her brother.
She had always despised betrayal, and now the person she trusted most, Hayasaka turned out to be a pawn placed by her brother.
Her lips trembled slightly as she tried to suppress her emotions.
If it had been anyone else, she would have immediately expelled them.
But this was Hayasaka.
They had grown up together, sharing secrets and trust.
With red eyes, Kaguya looked at Hayasaka.
"Hayasaka… do you have nothing to say to me?"
"… I'm sorry."
Hayasaka's voice was filled with guilt and remorse. She knew that her actions amounted to betrayal.
Kaguya clenched her fists, wanting to lash out, to scream. Was "I'm sorry" all Hayasaka could say? Couldn't she give her an explanation or an excuse?
But no matter how furious she was, Kaguya forced herself to remain calm.
She knew that this wasn't entirely Hayasaka's fault, it was her brother's doing.
Her brother had likely chosen Hayasaka because of her family's status as vassals of the Shinomiya family, and because of Hayasaka's close relationship with her.
Suppressing her emotions, Kaguya spoke in a measured tone.
"Hayasaka, we'll talk about this later."
Chapter 19: Serialized Detective Stories
[There's nothing special to do on the weekend, and I don't have work today, so I can stay home and watch videos online.]
[But staying at home all day is boring, so I went out for a walk.]
[I didn't expect to run into a kidnapper during a casual outing.]
[Beika City is truly a magical place. It feels like you can encounter criminals no matter where you go.]
[After living here for over ten years, I should be used to it by now.]
[It's rare to come across something like this, so I called the police right away. The police responded quite quickly.]
[That's why I said, Shinichi, when you found those two guys from the organization, you should have gone to the police first. Maybe you wouldn't have been hit with a stick.]
[Today's diary doesn't have any particularly explosive content—after all, not every day is full of excitement.]
[But yesterday, I witnessed the famous scene of Shinichi turning into a child. I wonder what happened after that. Did he move straight into Ran Mouri's house?]
--
Nagi reading the diary, suddenly became interested.
"Maria, are the bodyguards keeping tabs on Kudo Shinichi?"
"Kudo Shinichi? I'll check."
Maria left to inquire and confirmed that the bodyguards hadn't been monitoring Kudo Shinichi, even after he had turned into a child.
She immediately ordered them to investigate his whereabouts.
The response came quickly, along with a photo taken outside a hospital ward.
Maria handed the photo to Nagi.
"Maria, who are these two people?"
In the photo, besides Shinichi, now a child, there was a man with a mustache and a young-looking woman.
"The man is Kudo Yusaku, a world-famous mystery novelist."
"The woman is Kudo Yukiko, a renowned actress who won numerous awards during her career."
"Heh~ So his father's intelligence and his mother's love for acting were perfectly inherited."
From Maria's explanation, Nagi understood that Kudo Shinichi was indeed a "perfect successor."
Dubbed the "Holmes of the Heisei Era," Shinichi's reputation came with its own set of problems.
Such fame often attracted unnecessary trouble and made him a target.
"It seems, as the diary said, he's not a bad person, just a kid at the age where he's impulsive and overly enthusiastic about things he's interested in."
But she also understood why he was called the "Death God."
This was someone who would rush headlong into cases he found intriguing, regardless of the consequences.
As for whether Shinichi was the root cause of the crime rate in Beika City, she was almost certain he was.
Still, she couldn't deny that calling him "Death God" might be a bit unfair.
"Maria, in detective stories, don't the protagonists always stumble upon strange cases?"
"Of course. To keep the story moving, detective stories are built around bizarre cases."
"Detective stories rely on one case after another to sustain the plot. The suspense and twists in the story are what make them interesting."
Nagi glanced at Maria with a hint of surprise.
"Maria, you seem to know a lot about this."
"Well, I've read some books when I had free time. You've accumulated a lot of materials for drawing manga in the library, and I've cleaned them up over the years. Sometimes I'd find a book or two to read."
Maria's explanation was reasonable.
As Nagi's maid, her duties were complex, including handling Nagi's sudden whims. Occasionally, she needed some form of relaxation, and reading interesting novels became her pastime.
After explaining, Maria gave Nagi a subtle look.
"So, do you think Kudo Shinichi is the protagonist of a detective novel?"
"No, I don't think it's a detective novel."
Nagi denied it outright.
"Detective novels wouldn't earn a protagonist the title of 'Death God.'"
"How many people would have to die for that to happen?"
"True."
Maria agreed.
If a detective novel had enough deaths to warrant such a title, it would be an absolute failure as a story.
"So, I think it's probably a manga or anime."
Maria froze at this sudden claim.
"Detective manga or anime… Are you saying the deaths are serialized?"
"Exactly. That's why he's called the 'Death God.'"
"…Makes sense."
Maria couldn't refute such logic.
"Considering Beika City's situation, I'm starting to understand why its crime rate is so high."
Nagi was speechless but felt like she had stumbled upon the truth.
"It's like the crime rate of the entire country is concentrated here just to provide cases for the protagonist."
"…"
The statement was absurd, yet it strangely felt accurate.
"The fact that Kudo Shinichi turned into a child doesn't seem like the end of his story, it feels more like the beginning."
"Right. The story begins with the famous detective Kudo Shinichi being struck on the head by members of a mysterious organization, forced to drink a strange drug, and turning into a child. Then, he adopts a new identity and begins tracking the organization and the drug, hoping to return to his original self."
Maria's speculation was logical, and Nagi found it convincing.
A high school detective being turned into a child by a mysterious organization was the perfect setup for a long-running game of cat and mouse.
"Well, no wonder he seems so unimpressed with being a Teitan High School student."
Nagi nodded in understanding but then grew curious again.
"Maria, what kind of story do you think we're in?"
"For us? I think it's a slice-of-life story centered around you, Nagi—something lighthearted and full of your unique charm."
Maria's response felt fitting, given her understanding of Nagi.
"If you're that curious, you could just ask him directly when the time comes."
"Yeah."
Nagi agreed. She already planned to do just that.
After finishing the diary, it was time for the day's lottery.
But with yesterday's results still fresh in her mind, she didn't have high expectations.
[Genshin Impact]
[Obtained Recipe: Mondstadt Hash Brown]
[Mondstadt Hash Brown: A fried cake of mashed potatoes, capable of restoring vitality. A little bit of pinecone helps give it a nice crunch, and great with a bit of jam. Loved by people of all ages.]
Chapter 20: Crushing
[One Piece]
[Ingredients obtained: Sea King Meat]
[Sea King Meat: The meat of massive creatures living in the ocean. Highly nutritious. Long-term consumption enhances physical fitness.]
Staring at the massive piece of meat that now cluttered her room, Kaguya was left speechless.
"Is this really from a large ocean creature? It doesn't seem like anything from Earth."
From the start, she had assumed "large" meant the Earthly definition, but the scale here was far beyond her expectations.
Walking closer, she took a sniff. There was no trace of blood; instead, the meat gave off a strange but pleasant aroma, almost as if the scent itself came from the meat's essence.
"No wonder it's said to enhance physical fitness after eating."
Kaguya now fully understood that the things given by the diary were beyond the realm of normal comprehension.
"Hayasaka."
Turning around, Kaguya's face immediately darkened with anger.
"You. Take care of this today."
"…All of it, alone?"
"Once you've handled this, I'll consider forgiving you."
A way out was offered.
Even though Kaguya was furious, she still left Hayasaka a path to redemption. But it wouldn't be easy.
This massive piece of meat was a perfect punishment.
She didn't hesitate to toss the responsibility at Hayasaka.
"…"
Staring at the slab of meat, over three meters tall and six meters long, Hayasaka was momentarily stunned. However, what shocked her even more was Kaguya's attitude.
She knew very well how much Kaguya hated betrayal. Normally, forgiveness wouldn't even be an option. Yet here was Kaguya, giving her a chance.
This punishment, dealing with the absurdly large meat, was not harsh at all compared to what could have happened.
Years of understanding Kaguya allowed Hayasaka to see this clearly: Kaguya was offering her a lifeline.
Though overwhelmed by guilt, she immediately bowed.
"I understand, Miss Kaguya."
"Hmph. Good."
Kaguya couldn't stand the pitiful look on Hayasaka's face any longer and left the room with a huff.
Left alone with the massive slab of meat, Hayasaka took a deep breath.
"Forgiveness… Miss Kaguya actually chose to forgive me."
Tears welled up in her eyes as emotions overwhelmed her.
"I thought… I thought she would hate me. I thought I'd be driven away…"
Her own betrayal disgusted her, yet even so, Kaguya had let her off.
Perhaps… Kaguya felt the same pain she did.
Wiping her tears, she looked up with renewed determination.
"Miss Kaguya, thank you for your forgiveness."
"This time, I have a choice. I won't make the same mistake again."
Taking another deep breath, she turned her attention back to the colossal piece of meat.
"Well, let's get started."
--
While Kaguya and Hayasaka were repairing their bond, the Shinomiya family as a whole was being crushed under unprecedented pressure.
As the current acting head of the Shinomiya family, Shinomiya Oko was utterly bewildered.
"What's going on?"
"Why are we suddenly receiving so many warnings from both the political and business worlds?"
One particular message left his scalp tingling.
[As a businessman, Shinomiya should focus solely on business and refrain from meddling in politics.]
The implications were chilling.
In the world of politics, where power often exceeded the bounds of control, this was a severe warning.
In business circles, things were no better.
Allies who had previously worked harmoniously with the Shinomiya family now turned their backs, issuing veiled accusations of greed:
[Shinomiya always wants it all, both sides of the pie.]
The Shinomiya family's tradition of exploiting their allies had finally backfired. While their methods had been tolerated due to their immense power, today was different.
Today, no one cared about being reasonable.
Allies were now enemies, collectively pushing the Shinomiya family into a corner.
Oko tried to leverage the leverage he had over these allies, but the responses were shocking.
[Shinomiya Oko, if you want to expose those secrets of mine, go ahead. Let's see who falls harder in the end.]
The defiance left him at a loss.
Things quickly escalated.
Official sanctions began rolling in. Hotels and shopping centers under the Shinomiya name were ordered to shut down for "safety violations."
Their prized real estate ventures faced government sanctions, shipbuilding contracts were abruptly terminated, and orders for railways, mining, and oil projects were suspended.
Every industry the Shinomiya family touched was being crushed simultaneously.
Even procurement channels were severed, with suppliers choosing to pay penalties rather than continue working with them.
This was no longer just a financial issue, this was survival.
For Oko, who had never faced such opposition in his forty years of life, this was a nightmare.
"Who wants to destroy the Shinomiya family?"
His voice trembled with desperation.
The full-scale boycott by both political and business circles was rapidly dismantling the Shinomiya family's empire.
Forced to seek answers, Oko visited his father, Shinomiya Gan'an, in the hospital.
"Father, who has the power to do this to us?"
Hearing his son's plea, Gan'an immediately knew the answer.
"It's Mikado Sanzenin."
"…Mikado Sanzenin?"
Oko's face paled instantly.
Less than half a day ago, the eldest daughter of the Sanzenin family and the eldest daughter of the Saginomiya family had met with Kaguya.
Now, the Shinomiya family was being crushed.
It didn't take a genius to connect the dots.
Recalling Mikado Sanzenin's infamous ruthlessness, Gan'an felt a chill down his spine.
"That old man… Don't be fooled by his gentle appearance now. In his youth, he was utterly merciless."
"Only Mikado Sanzenin has the power to destroy the Shinomiya family so thoroughly."
Gan'an looked at his son.
"Oko, what did you do to offend Mikado Sanzenin?"
"…"
Oko was speechless.
What could he say?
He didn't even dare think about offending the eldest daughter of the Sanzenin family, let alone Mikado Sanzenin.
...
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