A quick check revealed Moonlight Island was buzzing lately.
A village chief election was underway.
Candidates included a fishermen's rep, the current chief, and the island's top tycoon—a classic three-way race.
Rallies and protests to sway voters or sabotage rivals had turned the island's usual calm into chaos.
Guided by Conan, Kogoro Mouri dove into the civic hall's records, but found nothing on Keiji Aso. He wanted to grill the current chief about the case from twelve years ago, but with the island's big shots tied up at a memorial service, they had to wait.
That's when Hayato Masaki split off.
Said he wanted to soak in the island's scenery.
(Can't you take the case seriously?)
Conan shot a mental jab at Hayato Masaki's carefree back.
But Hayato Masaki headed straight for the island's police station.
He remembered clearly—the fire that consumed Keiji Aso's home twelve years ago had destroyed nearly everything, except a music score preserved in a fireproof safe.
That score held all the secrets.
The station was manned by a single elderly officer, who nodded amiably when Hayato Masaki explained his visit.
"You don't look like a bad sort…"
"And that case from twelve years back? Nothing's left but Aso's score. Why not take a peek?"
The old cop chuckled, rummaged through the storage for a key, and led Hayato Masaki to the score.
Flipping through the unremarkable sheets, Hayato Masaki nodded after a few pages.
Key item acquired.
---
Moonlight Island's nights couldn't rival a big city's.
No blazing neon, hardly any cars.
Fading streetlights flickered weakly, some stuttering on and off.
Narumi Asai hurried along the path to the civic hall.
He was headed to the memorial service—or, more precisely, to carry out a planned killing.
"Asai-sensei."
A gentle voice halted him.
Narumi Asai stopped, startled by the figure ahead.
Hayato Masaki.
He recognized him instantly but feigned confusion. "And you are…?"
"A detective, here because of your request."
"…"
That one line silenced Narumi Asai.
He studied Hayato Masaki's earnest smile, lips sealed, but couldn't help asking, "You've figured it out?"
"Yes. This score told me everything."
Lifting the sheet music slightly, Hayato Masaki spoke softly. "The truth about the fire twelve years ago, your identity, Asai-sensei, and why you sent that letter."
Twelve years ago, Keiji Aso was a renowned pianist abroad.
But childhood friends—now the island's election candidates—dragged him into their drug trafficking. They used his overseas gigs to smuggle drugs until Aso, fed up, refused to play along. Fearing he'd talk, they locked his family in their home and burned it down.
In the blaze, Aso used his final moments to compose a score, hiding the truth in its notes for his son, Narumi Asai, hospitalized in Tokyo.
"You want revenge on those who killed your father and family, but you couldn't cross that line in your heart. So you sent the letter, hoping someone would stop you, right?"
Hayato Masaki smiled.
Despite the grim tale, his mood seemed untouched.
Narumi Asai's face, though, was streaked with tears.
He'd steeled himself to spill blood, but now only managed a bitter laugh, tears unstoppable.
Really…
He'd been so resolved…
Narumi Asai hadn't believed a detective could unravel it all in one afternoon. He'd sent the letter as a last-ditch "chance to turn back," tormented by guilt.
Yet here it was, all laid bare.
"…If this is fate, then fine—I give up."
His drive fizzled out.
Rage and hatred lingered, but with the truth exposed, his chance was gone.
Narumi Asai turned to leave, skipping the service.
"You're giving up?"
"Yes… I'll send the rest of your fee to your agency and report the chief and others to the police."
That was all Narumi Asai could do now.
Japan rarely enforced its death penalty.
Even for heinous crimes like murder and trafficking, the culprits would likely dodge execution.
That's why Narumi Asai had planned to take justice himself.
"You're not cut out for blood on your hands, Asai-sensei."
"…"
Hayato Masaki's voice stopped Narumi Asai mid-step.
"Even with such a deep grudge, you still hoped someone would stop you."
"Is that kindness?"
"Or weakness?"
"—Crossing society's rules and morals isn't easy."
"But I don't think it's a bad thing."
His gentle tone stirred something raw.
Narumi Asai, set on abandoning his plan, stared in shock and confusion at Hayato Masaki's warm smile.
"You…"
"It's just how things work."
"Like kids leaning on adults, or tough choices needing outside input—all life thrives by trusting and following the strong."
"Weakness leaning on others? I don't see the harm."
Hayato Masaki smiled.
It was a full moon.
His striking, almost ethereal face, bathed in pale light, took on an ominous edge.
A mix of purity and malice seemed to radiate from him.
His silhouette under the ghostly moonlight felt… unsettling.
"So, need help?"
He spread his arms, voice still soft.
"I'm pretty good at this."
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 30 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL