Silence.
As Matsuo Takafumi felt his mind go blank, unsure what to say in rebuttal, the surrounding photographers and reporters suddenly perked up.
The live camera immediately focused on Hayashi Yoshiki's incredibly exquisite face.
"Mr. Hayashi! Is the truth really as you say!?"
"You just walked around the crime scene, right? And you deduced the culprit's method so quickly?"
"Do you have evidence to support your deduction?"
"Also, why would you place suspicion on Mr. Matsuo?"
"Are you responsible for your deduction?"
The reporters swarmed like sharks smelling blood, throwing out question after question.
Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but take half a step back. Eri Kisaki immediately reached out a hand to shield him.
However, the reporters' enthusiasm didn't wane in the slightest; they continued to urge Hayashi Yoshiki for an answer.
The latter paused briefly, then spoke:
"I believe there should be evidence."
"First, let me explain why I suspect Mr. Matsuo. Firstly, to accurately hit a target on the 4th floor from the 7th floor with a gun requires the perpetrator to have a considerable foundation in marksmanship."
"It just so happened that Ms. Nagai mentioned on the show that Mr. Matsuo is a shooting enthusiast, and his marksmanship can even be compared to professional shooters."
"Furthermore, it's inherently strange that Mr. Suwa, as the program director, wasn't backstage during the show but in the mixing room. And Mr. Matsuo just said that he and Mr. Suwa had arranged to discuss matters there beforehand."
"I think this is why Mr. Matsuo specifically confirmed Mr. Suwa's location in the middle of the show."
"And also his departure during the VCR."
"All these signs are enough to cast suspicion on Mr. Matsuo."
"However, all of the above are ultimately just conjectures."
"So now, let's talk about the evidence—it needs to be said that if this deduction holds true, then this modus operandi is, in my opinion, full of loopholes."
"A 4-minute crime time would require at least 2 minutes to execute this method."
"Then, dealing with the obvious gunpowder residue in less than 2 minutes is clearly unrealistic... Perhaps a plastic film or something was placed in front of him beforehand to block the residue, or he simply changed his clothes. In any case, this amount of time is certainly not enough to dispose of such evidence."
"Also, although I don't know for what reason Mr. Suwa was called to lean his head out the window, the medium for transmitting the message must have been a mobile phone. We can check who made the last call to him."
"Oh, and coincidentally, the staircase on the seventh floor is piled with material boxes. Perhaps the evidence is hidden there."
Hearing this in a daze, Matsuo Takafumi almost completely collapsed.
Inspector Megure glanced at him, then immediately turned away: "Quickly go search the staircase on the seventh floor!"
A police officer quickly took the order and left.
But just as he left, Matsuo Takafumi could no longer hold himself up. His legs gave way, and his face was dejected: "No need, I confess."
The surrounding reporters fell silent.
"It's all because of that Suwa, who partnered with the publishing house to invite you, Mr. Hayashi, and I only regarded you as a mere mystery novelist... It was truly a miscalculation. I originally thought this method would absolutely be fine."
"No matter what method of murder is used, traces will inevitably be left, Mr. Matsuo."
"..."
Matsuo Takafumi lowered his head, not saying a word.
After all, at this point, nothing he said would matter.
Inspector Megure quickly waved his hand, ordering his subordinates to take him away, then looked at Hayashi Yoshiki, a smile appearing on his chubby, amiable face.
"Oh dear, truly worthy of a mystery novelist! To solve the case so quickly!"
"It was just a coincidence that I thought of it. I'm glad if I could help the police."
"Regardless, thank you for your help, haha, Mr. Hayashi. But we'll still need to trouble you to accompany us back for a statement—"
"Inspector Megure, let's leave the statement for tomorrow. We're planning to celebrate at a restaurant tonight."
Eri Kisaki interrupted Inspector Megure.
The latter, hearing this, was quite accommodating.
"Alright, then let's arrange a time for tomorrow. After all, it's us police troubling you."
Inspector Megure was in a rather good mood.
Originally, when he heard about the shooting case, his heart sank, and this time, there was no young Kudo around... Who knew things would turn around so quickly? This case was solved almost at a record pace for him.
Taking his team and getting into the police car, Inspector Megure was feeling quite pleased, ready to head back to the police station, when a call came in that completely shattered his good mood:
"What did you say?! A murder case at Tropical Land!?"
"Okay, I'll be right there!"
So the police car's sirens blared once again, rushing towards Tropical Land.
Meanwhile, Hayashi Yoshiki and Eri Kisaki had just managed to shake off the TV station reporters and got into Eri Kisaki's Mini Cooper in the Yomiuri TV parking lot.
"Are you alright, Yoshiki?"
"Why do you suddenly ask that, Auntie Eri?"
"...I'm afraid you've experienced too much today."
Eri Kisaki looked at Hayashi Yoshiki's calm expression, opened her mouth, but her words suddenly changed direction.
Then she smiled gently:
"Good, as long as you're okay. Let's go. What do you want to eat?"
"How about yakitori?"
"Looks like your dinner was too light then. Let's go."
Eri Kisaki drove the car, slowly pulling out of the parking lot.
Because of the show recording, the two had arrived at Yomiuri TV quite early, and they had specifically eaten a light dinner, just some healthy salads and such.
The night street scene was very beautiful.
The city, adorned by the glittering neon lights everywhere, should be very comfortable for a leisurely drive.
"..."
During the drive, Eri Kisaki occasionally turned her head to look at Hayashi Yoshiki. Seeing him quietly looking at the scenery outside the window with no emotions showing, she felt a bit concerned.
His parents had died from gunshot wounds, and the wound was in the temple...
It was for this reason that Eri Kisaki was a little worried that seeing Michihiko Suwa's body today would trigger his emotions.
"Yoshiki."
"Hmm?"
"Let's also invite Ran out with us in a couple of days. I always feel like you two cousins should formally get to know each other."
"Okay."
"Then it's settled."