"Kusuda Rikumichi"
"March 19th, 17:56, died from being crushed by a steel coil."
"Before death, rode in a companion's car and sat in the passenger seat to execute an Organization mission. During the journey, the vehicle they were in lost control and drifted on the highway, with the passenger side crashing into a guardrail, resulting in injuries."
"After his companion safely escaped the vehicle, Kusuda Rikumichi attempted to exit from the driver's side, and was crushed by a steel coil that accidentally rolled off a transport vehicle."
The Death Note cannot cause the death of a third party.
That is, only the person whose exact name is written on it will die. It's not possible to write convenient things like "Kusuda Rikumichi drove and ran over an innocent passerby, then was crushed by a steel coil." Even if written, it would only result in Kusuda Rikumichi suddenly dying of a heart attack.
However, if the passerby's name was changed to a specific one, such as "Kusuda Rikumichi drove and ran over Shinichi Kudo, then was crushed by a steel coil," then it would be valid.
Therefore, Hayashi Yoshiki needed to specifically add the description "companion safely escaped the vehicle" to Kusuda Rikumichi's cause of death; otherwise, a cause of death that would result in a third party's death would be deemed invalid.
It was fortunate that Kusuda Rikumichi, a supporting character who had appeared with his name in the plot, was the one assigned to watch Hayashi Yoshiki, otherwise it would have been quite difficult.
Ring, ring, ring~ Ring, ring, ring~
"Hello, this is Hayashi Yoshiki."
"Excuse me, Mr. Hayashi, I'm Asamiya Nanae, an editor from Futaba Publishing."
"Editor Asamiya."
"Yes, through our operations and promotions, Mr. Hayashi's new work will be released in three days. Will it be alright for Mr. Hayashi's book signing event to be scheduled for that same day?"
"What are the detailed arrangements?"
"The location for the first book signing will be at Futaba Bookstore in Beika City. It will start at 3 PM on Sunday, three days from now, and end at 6 PM. Does this arrangement work for you?"
"Yes, that works, no problem."
"That's great."
"Then we'll proceed with this schedule. Also, I personally recommend that Mr. Hayashi dress up well on that day, because you, sir, will also be a powerful promotional tool."
"Or we can arrange for a professional stylist to come and help Mr. Hayashi prepare."
"Okay, but a stylist won't be necessary for now... In any case, I'll pay attention to it then."
After hanging up the phone, Hayashi Yoshiki marked Sunday, three days later, on his calendar—
This was agreed upon during the contract signing: how many resources the publishing house would invest in promotion, including the operation of book signing events and other activities.
It was a good opportunity.
Although he hadn't officially become a detective yet, increasing his fame first certainly wouldn't hurt.
Incidentally, Hayashi Yoshiki was quite confident in his ability to dress himself up.
Time passed.
Location changed.
Sunday's commercial streets were quite lively, but surprisingly, there was a long queue in front of Futaba Bookstore this afternoon.
"So exaggerated... Shinichi, are you sure you want to queue?"
"...I didn't think I'd have to queue for so long."
"But it's rare, I didn't expect Shinichi to be interested in a book signing."
"Not interested, I'm just curious."
Facing his childhood friend's gentle laughter, high school detective Shinichi Kudo couldn't help but retort.
Then another girl's retort came from beside him:
"What's the difference in what you said?"
"Of course there's a difference!"
Shinichi Kudo rolled his eyes, seemingly at odds with her.
The Kindaichi Case Files was one of the more outstanding mystery novels he had read recently, especially "The Village of the Exotics Murder Case," with its well-developed details, strange methods, and a plot where almost everyone was evil, which he found very interesting.
It was said that the author who wrote such a mystery novel was a very young person, which was why he was interested in coming to see him.
After hearing Shinichi Kudo's explanation, Sonoko Suzuki scoffed.
"I don't get it, Ran. I think we should just go eat cake nearby instead. This queue looks like it'll take ages!"
"Sonoko..."
Ran Mouri couldn't help but give a wry smile.
Actually, she had originally only come out with her best friend Sonoko Suzuki to eat cake and buy books, but halfway through, Shinichi Kudo suddenly called and asked if they wanted to go to the bookstore, so their original shopping trip turned into the current situation.
"Oh my god!"
"How is it, how is it? Did you get a different picture?"
"So handsome!!"
"Woo~wah! Is he really not a celebrity?"
"He's really good-looking..."
"He's truly exquisite!"
"Hey, let me print this photo!"
Sonoko Suzuki, who initially seemed reluctant to even step into the bookstore, suddenly heard the chatter beside her. She turned her head and found several young women excitedly discussing, each holding a book and a printed photo.
Talking about a handsome guy?
Attracted, Sonoko Suzuki involuntarily drifted over, craned her neck, and asked:
"Excuse me, who are you talking about?"
The girls stopped their discussion upon hearing the question. Seeing a high school girl, they excitedly shared with her. One of them very kindly showed her the photo in her hand.
With just one glance—
"!!!"
Sonoko Suzuki's eyes widened. Then, with an incredible speed as if blown away by the wind, she returned to Ran Mouri's side and pulled her hand: "Come on! Ran, let's go buy books and queue too!"
"Huh? Eh?!"
Ran Mouri was practically dragged into the bookstore by Sonoko Suzuki.
Shinichi Kudo, trailing behind, twitched the corner of his mouth.
Now, he was somewhat reluctant to queue.
But after thinking for a moment, he still chose to follow behind the two—after all, judging by Sonoko's demeanor, she would absolutely not give up easily.
But as soon as they entered the bookstore, the scene before them made Shinichi Kudo twitch his mouth again.
"It's really exaggerated..."
The Futaba Bookstore, which he remembered as spacious and bright, had now become so crowded. And at the end of the long queue—the table where the book signing was taking place—was surrounded by people, almost all of whom were women.
The original bookstore staff and manager were trying their best to manage the crowd, guiding fans who had already gotten their signatures out, while the assistants sent by the publishing house and Editor Asamiya were also frantically busy.
Ran Mouri's puzzled voice came from amid the surrounding noise:
"Sonoko, we should still buy English materials, right?"
"We can talk about that after we finish queuing!"
"..."
That girl moves fast; she already bought the book?
Shinichi Kudo was a little speechless.
Regarding the issue of the Death Note controlling the deceased to kill people.
Firstly, a rule of the Death Note is "cannot involve the death of a third party," meaning Hayashi Yoshiki cannot control Kusuda Rikumichi to drive and run over an innocent passerby.
However, if the note reads "Kusuda Rikumichi drove and ran over Shinichi Kudo," since "Shinichi Kudo"'s name is also on the Death Note, he is not considered a third party, and this control can be established.