Tokyo, the shady intelligence of private detectives

Masahiro Hanyu remained calm in the face of the club's receptionist's questioning.

Unexpected or sudden situations often occur during the investigation process, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances is an essential skill for detectives.

His tone was calm. "The fitness equipment manufactured by our headquarters has indeed passed its first warranty period, but our after-sales technicians will still conduct regular inspections and routine maintenance checks from time to time."

"After all, some fitness equipment may develop malfunctions that are not easily detected due to improper maintenance."

"Recently, there have been instances where the counterweights became stuck due to improper maintenance, affecting the use of the equipment."

"If this upsets customers, it would be very bad for your club."

"After-sales inspections are conducted to identify these kinds of problems in a timely manner, so that appropriate guidance can be provided to maintenance personnel."

The male receptionist hesitated for a moment, "Oh, is that so? But our store didn't receive any prior notification."

Masahiro Hanyu replied in a calm and composed tone, "That's right, after the first maintenance, the after-sales service is not responsible."

"We are only offering this free inspection because we are considering the close cooperation between your club and Panasonic, and in the spirit of serving our customers."

"If your club doesn't need it, then I won't bother you any longer."

Masahiro Hanyu took out an inspection receipt and handed it over. "Please sign here to indicate that your office does not need this inspection."

The male receptionist hesitated. He couldn't bear the responsibility if the equipment malfunctioned because he refused the inspection by Panasonic's after-sales personnel.

He whispered a few words to the female receptionist, then looked at Masahiro Hanyu.

"Alright, please go in and do your routine check, but please be sure not to disturb the guests."

"Especially in the VIP area, there are guests exercising right now, so please be careful to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble."

Masahiro Hanyu nodded solemnly, "Please rest assured, I will be very careful."

"How about we start with the VIP area? That way, if a malfunction happens and the guests have a bad experience, it could negatively impact your club's reputation."

The male receptionist nodded slightly, agreeing with the Panasonic after-sales service representative's words. "Alright, please follow me."

Yuzuru Masahiro followed the male receptionist to the third floor, where the club's VIP area was located.

Pushing open the glass door, the male receptionist asked Masahiro Yuzuru to check the equipment himself and record any problems on the work order.

Masahiro Yuzuru scanned the entire room, but didn't see a single woman. Only the few male guests he had noticed were doing their workouts.

This disappointed Masahiro Hanyu, as Reika Takizawa was not there.

So what information is the second piece of information suggesting?

He planned to pretend to inspect the equipment, then try to get his hands on the club's staff list to confirm whether Takizawa Reika was actually there.

Masahiro Hanyu pretended to inspect the treadmill, butterfly machine, Smith machine...

Kato and Mukaiyama were shirtless, competing in a leg-pushing exercise machine.

Masahiro Hanyu noticed the two talking, so he walked over to a Smith machine near them, squatted down, and pretended to check the screws securing the barbell plates.

As he exerted force towards the mountain, the veins in his arms bulged. "Kato-kun, how's the diet I recommended?"

Kato's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. "It's great, especially with that drink and the amino acid boost, which gives me more stamina."

Mukayama stopped his leg workout. "Kato-kun, let me recommend another chewing gum to you. It has a rich flavor and long-lasting breath."

Chewing gum! Masahiro Hanyu immediately thought of the third piece of information, and he couldn't help but prick up his ears.

Xiangshan continued, "I also recommended this chewing gum to Matsui's manager, and he thought it was great too."

"Matsui-san, wasn't my recommendation good?"

A man in his thirties, with a small mustache and a side-parted hairstyle, walked over.

"Hmm, not bad, that's powerful!"

"Tomorrow afternoon, I will recommend this brand of chewing gum to all the male actors who come for auditions."

Yuzuru Masahiro glanced discreetly at the mustache-wearing Matsui; it turned out he was the manager of these male teachers.

It seems he was urging the male teachers to exercise, as only by maintaining strong physical fitness could they adapt to the high-intensity filming work.

Kato continued sweating profusely. "Oh, what brand is it!"

Matsui's manager walked to the butterfly machine next to him. "It's a Strong Punch."

The third piece of information corresponds here, but what message is it hinting at?

Masahiro Hanyu deliberately delayed the inspection, taking more than half an hour before leaving the VIP area.

The only useful information he heard throughout the process, besides Kato, Mukai, and Matsui mentioning chewing gum, was another piece of news.

Tomorrow afternoon, Matsui's agent made an appointment with "Fangyou Studio" to take these male teachers to the audition.

Fangyou Studio recently signed a female actress. It's said that this actress is very picky and will only work with actors she chooses.

The three pieces of information—male teacher, agent, and actress—seem to be able to be summarized here.

Since Reika Takizawa isn't at the gym, Masahiro Hanyu has a guess about her current profession, but he needs to confirm it.

Yuzuru Hanyu quickly inspected the fitness equipment in other areas, filled out a maintenance receipt, had the receptionist sign it, and then left Oasis Fitness Club.

After changing out of his work clothes, Masahiro Hanyu headed to 11-2 Okubo, Shinjuku Ward, a famous "film studio street".

As an employee of the detective agency, Masahiro Hanyu is familiar with almost every corner of Tokyo.

Along the "studio street," there are numerous small photography studios and video shooting studios, including the "Fangyou Studio" mentioned by Matsui's agent.

Masahiro Hanyu arrived at the end of a small alley, where there was a dilapidated two-story red brick building that used to be an abandoned warehouse.

A wooden sign hangs at the entrance of the warehouse, reading "Fangyou Studio". Next to it is a notice that reads "No unauthorized personnel allowed, no visitors".

Such a notice, of course, could not stop Masahiro Hanyu, but a burly man with tattoos was guarding the main entrance of the warehouse, preventing outsiders from entering.

Masahiro Hanyu circled the warehouse, and when no one was around, he climbed onto the second-floor window.

In 1992 Tokyo, surveillance equipment was not yet advanced, and he quietly entered the warehouse without being noticed.

The warehouse has multiple partitioned spaces, and the staff work in their cubicles; there are hardly any people in the corridors.

Masahiro Hanyu carefully checked each space, trying to avoid being discovered.

There were several rooms where filming was taking place, and he saw a familiar face. At that time, Ms. Iijima was still full of youthful energy.

Masahiro Hanyu secretly watched for a while. On set, it was common for actors to be asked to reshoot scenes.

The passion was constantly interrupted; this kind of work was purely a job, and there was no enjoyment to be found.

He searched all of Fangyou Studio but couldn't find Takizawa Reika. Had he guessed wrong?

At this point, filming in one of the rooms was paused, and someone came out of the room to smoke in the hallway.

Yuzuru Masahiro hid in the stairwell, about to leave, when he suddenly heard someone say, "Have you heard? About that yoga instructor!"