Chapter 47: When an Accomplice Comes Knocking
What are the killing methods of modern society?
Are the most common methods used by murderers arson, explosions, or sprays of gunfire?
The most vicious killers often require only the most primitive methods. Blades are shadowless, and no matter how tempered a body may be, it cannot withstand a blade sold in a roadside supermarket. A simple "white blade in, red blade out" represents the vanishing of a vivid life.
However, this method carries too high a probability of ending up behind bars and is not ideal.
To increase the success rate of escaping after the deed, one must refine their technique. Using more complex and ingenious methods leaves the police bewildered and the crime untraceable.
This is when the detective makes their entrance. After an unfathomable analysis, the method is revealed, the case is solved, and everyone is happy.
—Surprisingly, most of those seemingly complex and high-level techniques, once decrypted, are realized through a combination of simple small props.
The so-called process of a detective solving a case is actually a process of "Walking into Science" (TV show reference).
Thinking about it this way, this "Trap Master" indeed seems to have the potential to become a serial killer.
"You like cats?"
Hikaru Hoshino asked abruptly, with three parts annoyance, three parts sarcasm, and four parts unshakeable composure.
He first motioned for Rin Futamichi to retreat, preventing her from hearing anything she shouldn't, and then prepared to have a proper talk with this secret photographer.
"I like them well enough," the cold cat mask replied. "It's a game of cat and mouse, after all. I prefer being the one doing the catching."
"But the reality is that you're a rat hiding away, not even daring to show your face," Hikaru mocked unceremoniously.
"Were you Kamiki's former helper?" Hikaru tried to fish for information.
"The next target had already been chosen, but then you disappeared halfway through. The news said you had amnesia, so I came to see if it was true."
The masked man didn't answer Hikaru's question, speaking to himself instead.
"From your performance, it doesn't seem like a lie. But the possibility of it being an act can't be ruled out; after all, your acting skills are incredible, and faking amnesia would be easy for you."
"But I haven't figured out your reason for doing this." The synthesized voice paused. "Acting harmless to get close to a target and striking after gaining their trust—that is indeed your usual method."
"But that idol, B-Komachi's Ai... shouldn't she have been dead long ago? It makes no sense to waste effort lurking beside someone who's supposed to be dead."
*So it is an accomplice.* Hikaru silently noted this information.
The fact that Kamiki had an accomplice did not surprise him. Committing a crime inevitably carries risks. Given Kamiki's style, he wouldn't carry the risk himself; he would certainly outsource multiple steps of the process to lower the probability of being investigated. That way, as long as one link in the middle was severed during a police investigation, he would be safe.
*So he's a scapegoat.*
Hikaru looked at the masked man with a few sparks of pity in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the person on the phone continued to ramble: "Whether you're faking it or truly have amnesia, I don't care. But you have to come back and help me. The prey has already been chosen. You entice them first, and after the plan is set, I'll be the one to act. It'll be foolproof."
Seemingly seeing that Hikaru remained unresponsive, the man gradually calmed down. After thinking for a moment, as if he had just remembered something, he said abruptly:
"If you don't help me, I'll expose that idol's secret children."
Hikaru felt his heart skip a beat.
Among the various ways to threaten him, the man had chosen the simplest and most effective one.
He seemed to know exactly what chips he held; he didn't beat around the bush and went straight for Hikaru's jugular.
If it were a physical attack, Hikaru had ample confidence he could handle it, and could even counter-attack if the killer left a trail. But a war of public opinion is invisible; you can't grab someone through the internet cables. This almost completely blocked his means of retaliation.
The threat was also extremely effective. The current Hikaru simply could not accept the consequences of Ai being exposed.
He thought it over carefully and realized there was indeed little he could do right now. The enemy was in the dark, and their information was unknown, while he was exposed in the sunlight, with his entire situation thoroughly mapped out.
Even if his side had numbers, it didn't matter if the opponent refused to show their head.
Thus, Hikaru could only speak helplessly: "Fine. Tell me, what do you want me to do for you?"
"The targets were always chosen by you in the past; this is the first time I've picked the prey myself." Hikaru's concession made the masked man sound excited. "I'm not as picky as you. For me, as long as I can kill, it's enough."
"I had originally picked a target in Tokyo, but after returning to Miyazaki, I found some great hunting subjects here too. For example, that nurse in the hospital is pretty good. Why don't you kill her first?"
Hikaru hesitated: "Isn't that bad? She's a fan of Ai now and just got an autograph. What a waste if she died."
"Then go finish off that high school girl who gave you the flyer yesterday afternoon. I've checked; her family runs a shrine, and she'll likely become a shrine maiden. I haven't tried desecrating a deity yet; I think it would be interesting."
Hikaru was even more hesitant: "But she's preparing for the Summer Festival, and I'm planning to perform there. If she's killed, won't that fall through?"
The person on the phone started to get exasperated: "This is no good, that's no good—then what the hell *can* you do? The old Kamiki wasn't as timid as you. You're not him at all!"
"Aiya, how can you say that?" Hikaru waved his hand. "I'm just thinking for your sake. You should enjoy the thrill of the kill, right? If I'm the one who acts, won't you miss out on that feeling? So let's do it like before: I'll be the guide, and you complete the final step yourself."
The masked man nodded subconsciously: "That seems to make some sense."
Hikaru immediately followed up, his tone so natural it was as if the two were old friends who had known each other for a long time.
"Then let's pick a time to discuss the plan face-to-face, shall we? We can talk about how exactly to do it. Brother, look, what place would be suitable?"
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