"According to police reports, an Italian robbery syndicate has infiltrated Beika City."
"Their leader, Dino Cavana, and his crew allegedly stole 15,000 Maple Leaf gold coins, valued at 600 million yen."
"The Tokyo Metropolitan Police's First Investigation Division is pursuing the gang, with concerns they may possess dangerous weapons."
"Beika TV urges all citizens to stay vigilant when out and about."
Morning news blared from the television.
As the anchor spoke clearly, a sharp wanted poster flashed on-screen.
Hayato Masaki glanced at it, uninterested.
With steady payments from his publisher and the Organization, money was the least of his worries. Checking the news each day felt more like a chore to scout new "material" for the Death Note.
What caught his eye was a letter on his desk.
"On the next full moon, on Moonlight Island, shadows will vanish once more."
"Please investigate the cause."
"—Keiji Aso"
He'd found it in the mailbox of Kindaichi Detective Agency, its sign barely up a few days. Given his rising fame, he wasn't exactly obscure.
The letter's text was pieced together from clipped newspaper letters—no handwriting, no hint of the sender's identity.
A lone letter like this could pass for a prank, but it came with ten crisp 10,000-yen bills.
"Narumi Asai…?"
The words Moonlight Island stirred vivid memories.
The Moonlight Island case rivaled the library murder in impact, maybe even more haunting.
Hayato Masaki recalled key details.
Intriguing.
Thinking of the doctor who, after exacting revenge, chose to perish in flames, Hayato Masaki's mind sparked with ideas.
---
Gray skies loomed over a somber sea, the air thick with salt and diesel fumes.
On the ferry's deck, Kogoro Mouri leaned against the railing, grumbling. "Seriously, we could've gone flower-viewing. Why's a great detective like me stuck heading to some random island?"
"So you had flower-viewing plans, Mouri-san?"
"Yup! Flowers, some sake—way better than rocking on this boat, right?"
"I see."
Good news for the flowers, then.
Hayato Masaki shot a warm smile at Conan on the deck.
Conan blinked, puzzled by the look.
"Such a coincidence, Hayato-nii! Didn't expect you'd be heading to the same island," Ran said, beaming.
"Yeah, nice we can travel together."
"You got dragged here by a client's deposit too, huh, Masaki?"
Kogoro glanced over.
Hayato Masaki nodded, but he looked relaxed, almost eager. "It's my first official case, after all. Plus, I don't leave Beika much… Word is, Moonlight Island's got some wild natural charm."
"Tch, it's not even summer," Kogoro muttered, probably imagining bikini-clad girls on a beach.
"You don't travel much, Hayato-nii?"
"Nah, going solo's not as fun."
"…Oh."
Ran didn't know what else to say.
It hit her that Hayato Masaki might not have close friends to travel with. That stuck with her.
About forty minutes later, the ferry docked at Moonlight Island.
It wasn't some isolated rock.
The island had proper houses, a market, even a police station—more like a laid-back countryside than a remote outpost. The scenery was stunning.
Hayato Masaki suggested checking with the community office to see if "Keiji Aso" appeared in resident records.
A young staffer flipped through the registry for ages, then frowned. "Can't find anyone by that name."
"Look harder! We've got letters from this guy!" Kogoro barked, waving the paper.
"Even if you say that—"
"What's going on?"
The community director strolled over. When the staff explained, his face paled. "What?! You said Keiji Aso?!"
He stared at Kogoro's letter like it was cursed, voice trembling. "That's impossible. Keiji Aso died over a decade ago!"
"What?!"
He explained that Keiji Aso was a renowned pianist born on the island.
Twelve years ago, on a full moon night, Aso returned after years away. He held a piano recital at the civic hall, then locked himself and his family in their home, setting it ablaze.
"They say he stabbed his wife and daughter, playing the piano as the flames roared—like something possessed him. The piece? Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata…"
His eerie tone sent chills through Ran, who hated ghost stories. Her face drained as she eyed the letter in her dad's hand.
"Sounds like a story with a lot buried beneath it," Hayato Masaki said with a smile. "Since the deposit came through, maybe someone's using Keiji Aso's name to ask us to dig up the truth."
"Using his name…?"
"Yeah. Unless you think he rose from the dead to send this? That'd be too wild for reality."
"You've got a point, Masaki."
Kogoro rubbed his chin, nodding.
"Maybe we check the civic hall for clues?"
Hayato Masaki turned politely to the director. "Sir, could you point us to the civic hall?"
"S-Sure…" Despite his jumpiness, the man was cooperative.
"…"
Conan stayed quiet, mostly agreeing with Hayato Masaki.
He was just surprised at how sharp the guy's reasoning was.
***
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