Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

A black and white photo! Is the man in the photo already dead?

He seems familiar! Has he seen this man before? Or does he know someone who resembles him?

The two bartenders took out bottles, closed the drawer, and Masahiro Hanyu couldn't see very clearly.

At this moment, the head waiter, Kobayashi, was not at the bar but was moving between the booths, promoting drinks to the customers at just the right time.

On the gleaming ebony bar counter, an amber-colored whiskey bottle shone brightly.

Two bartenders, wielding shakers, swung their wrists with dazzling skill.

Taking advantage of the two's free time, Masahiro Yuzuru approached the bar and took out two boxes of Heineken, handing them over.

He doesn't smoke, and he prepared Heineken to make it easier to get closer to his partner.

"I am Asano from Komagatake Junmugi. Thank you both for your hard work."

Smoking is not allowed during working hours, so the two bartenders took the cigarette packs and put them in their pockets.

"Oh, Komagatake Junmai, Kobayashi-kun instructed me to make it." The slightly overweight bartender smiled.

"Asano-kun, please rest assured, if any customers order Komagatake, we will do our best."

Yuzuru glanced over; Aoyama was talking to Kobayashi and wasn't looking towards the bar.

He was in the shadows on one side of the bar, at this angle, so even if Aoyama looked over, he probably wouldn't be able to see him clearly.

Masahiro Hanyu spoke cautiously, "I just saw a black and white photo in the drawer, the one behind Junmai at the Karuizawa Club."

"Since this is my first time here, are there any special rules? I'd like to be prepared."

The slightly overweight bartender looked a little downcast. "Asano-kun, you're overthinking it. There's no special rule about showing that photo."

"The person in the photo has been dead for seven years. He used to be a bartender here and was our senior."

Masahiro Hanyu looked surprised. "Oh, he passed away! Why are his photos in the drawer?"

The slightly thin bartender put down the shaker. "Yagyu-senpai is our teacher. Karuizawa Junmai is a product that was sold because of his performance."

"To commemorate them, we put their photos inside."

Yuzuru Masahiro looked regretful. "It's truly unfortunate. Yagyu-kun seemed so young; how could he have passed away so young?"

The slightly overweight bartender said in a low voice, "It was an accident. Apparently, he was in a car accident right after leaving the Yaesu Library Center."

With a sincere expression, Yuzuru Masahiro asked, "May I pay my respects to Yagyu-kun's portrait? After all, he was a senior to both of you."

The chubby bartender opened a drawer, took out a photo, and handed it to him.

"Asano-kun, please hurry. He will be very upset if that VIP sees the photo."

The portly bartender glanced at Aoyama, while Hanyu Masahiro respectfully took the photo. "Is that distinguished guest very familiar with Yagyu-kun?"

The chubby bartender lowered his voice, "Not just familiar, but very close."

Masahiro Hanyu placed the photo on the table, clasped his hands together, and slowly bowed in prayer.

Taking this opportunity, he examined him closely and found that Yagyu-kun's features bore a striking resemblance to Kuroki Eimi.

Below the photo is the name of the deceased: Yagyu Maki, born in 1985.

Seeing this name and the date, and summarizing all the intelligence clues, Masahiro Hanyu had a basically clear understanding of the situation.

He quietly pressed the shutter button on the camera hidden in his sleeve and took a picture of Yagyu Maki.

On the central stage, the dancer's last dress slipped off, the spotlight suddenly dimmed, leaving only a beam of light shining on her, dazzlingly white.

Aoyama sat alone in a booth, with Karuizawa Club pure wheat on the table.

He sipped his drink slowly, his gaze not fixed on the stage, and politely declined all the waitresses who came to fawn over him.

The amber light shone on him, and Aoyama raised his hand, his fingertips casually stroking his hair.

Her every move exuded a woman's allure.

He planned to drink this glass of wine and then go to the bar to watch the bartender's performance up close.

Just like seven years ago today, when I met Maki Yagyu.

"President Aoyama, what a coincidence, we meet again." A young man approached him politely.

Aoyama was startled, his expression somewhat flustered. "Hanyu-kun, you've come here too!"

Without permission, Masahiro Hanyu sat down opposite Aoyama. "Yeah, it's a bit unexpected, isn't it?"

Aoyama's expression returned to calm. "Yes, it was really unexpected. I was being very careful."

"Hanyu-kun is indeed an excellent detective; he actually managed to find this place."

Masahiro Hanyu smiled. "Has President Aoyama already guessed it?"

Aoyama waved his hand, signaling a waiter to bring over a wine glass. "Hanyu-kun, have a drink with me."

He raised the bottle, and the amber liquid slowly poured into the glass.

"Entrusting Hanyu to conduct the investigation was the right choice for Kana and Eimi."

"So what if we just followed her here? What evidence does Hanyu-kun have that could exempt Hojo Kana from paying compensation?"

Masahiro Hanyu raised his glass. "Thank you, President. This Karuizawa wine is just the kind of flavor I like."

"Seven years ago, on a Tuesday evening, President Aoyama met Yagyu here, and the two of you fell in love at first sight."

"You are deeply in love with Yagyu-kun. Even though you don't like women, it's only because Kuroki-san and Yagyu-kun look somewhat alike."

Aoyama's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, which was noticed by Yuzuru Masahiro.

"Seven years ago, on a Saturday, in the business area on the third floor of the Yaesu Book Center, Mr. Yagyu gave you a book."

"The book's title page bears Haruki Murakami's autograph, which Yagyu-kun obtained with great care."

"Unfortunately, Yagyu-kun's life ended on that day."

Tears welled up in Aoyama's eyes. He raised his glass, took a big gulp of wine, and tried to hide his emotions.

Masahiro Hanyu took a sip of his drink and swallowed slowly. "At Couple's Nest, President Aoyama still kept an eye on me and Kuroki-san!"

"Even though there was a stage between us, I still managed to take a picture of President Aoyama."

Masahiro Hanyu took out the photos taken at Couple's Nest, waved them in front of Aoyama, and then put them away.

"President Aoyama, I really want to say that your cross-dressing... is very beautiful, I was even amazed."

Aoyama didn't see clearly whether the photo was clear or not; he just pursed his lips, his sitting posture and figure resembling a woman's allure.

"If I erased any single moment of my life, I would not be who I am today."

"Yagyu-kun understands President Aoyama. The reason he gave you this advice is to respect your inner choice."

"Stop dwelling on your pain, be brave and be yourself, after all, you're not young anymore."

Aoyama's tone softened, "Hanyu-kun, can I really be myself?"

Masahiro Hanyu nodded solemnly, "You can do it, President Aoyama."

"As long as you can follow your heart and not be afraid of the opinions of those around you."

"If Yagyu-kun knew this in the afterlife, he would be very pleased."

Suddenly, Aoyama grabbed Hanyu Masahiro's hand. "Hanyu-kun, these past few years have been so hard for me!"

Masahiro Yuzuru instinctively wanted to pull his hand back, but he forced himself to.

After all, his psychological offensive had worked, and the investigation commission was about to be completed!