Everyone was busy developing their own relationships, striking up conversations, exchanging pleasantries, and finding topics to talk about.
Unless one is truly interested, few people will listen to what others are saying.
However, necessary social distancing prevented this last possibility.
Ms. Xiang Jingge made her request in a casual manner, as if she were having a casual chat, amidst the background conversations around her.
"Logically, I should make a special trip to the firm to visit him, but it seems that Mr. Toyama has been out of town for the past few days..."
This opening statement implies that she did indeed visit the Fudomyama Detective Agency.
It's just that Yoruichi Toyama is with Vermouth, or, from an outsider's perspective, with Akane Aizawa.
Akemi is still in the police safe house.
Peng Zhijie, who is in charge of watching the store, will not accept the commission.
Thinking of the hardships involved, Yoruichi Toyama nodded apologetically.
"There were indeed some things that came up before, you could call it a request... Is Shizuka-sensei's matter urgent?"
If it's an emergency, and I'm too busy taking care of myself, I probably can't help.
But Xiang Jingge's expression became somewhat hesitant.
"No, it's hard for me to say whether I'm anxious or not, because he's been missing for a long time, and we don't even know if he's still alive..."
"he?"
“My…” Xiang Jingge paused for a moment, then, amidst the lively chatter around her, almost silently uttered two words, “My son.”
The sudden burst of applause forced the conversation to stop.
"Distinguished guests, we are gathered here today to commemorate the legendary director Akira Sakamaki, a cinematic giant revered by all..."
The emcee began his presentation with great enthusiasm.
Hibiki Shizuka politely gestured to Toyama Yoruichi, indicating that they would talk later.
While her mother wasn't looking, Mituri squeezed in a little more.
"There are quite a lot of people here today!"
As Yoichi Toyama listened to her persistent exclamations during the emcee's introduction, he couldn't help but smile in response.
"Miss Mituri, do you know many celebrities?"
"Hey, stop calling me 'Miss'!" the girl waved her hand dismissively. "Just call me Mitsuriri!"
“My mother wanted to train me to be a stage actor, so I took acting classes from a young age and met a lot of people in society.”
"...Wow, look at that, that blonde beauty! That's Chris Vineyard, a hot Hollywood star!"
"Do you know how much she gets paid?"
Mitori's hushed chatter gradually faded into meaningless background noise in Toyama Yoichi's ears.
He looked at the person the girl was pointing to, and a wave of dizziness washed over him.
Vermouth's promise of "giving you complete freedom" was clearly not true.
She's right here, watching him.
...Or perhaps she has another purpose?
Thinking back to what she had said before, Yoruichi Toyama was a little confused.
Is it possible that something might happen at the memorial service? ...
How did she know this in advance?
Unless, this incident is something the distillery is planning.
"...That long-haired man is Naoya Taromi, a new generation music producer, but my mother scoffs at his music, saying it's all garbage..."
"...And that tomboy, Nanjo Bingo, this year's Naoki Prize winner, I heard her novel is going to be adapted into a screenplay..."
The process of identifying people in the US, like reciting a menu, continues.
Yoruichi Toyama suddenly realized how considerate she was, because she really didn't know many people and had no clue where to start her investigation.
That outward rebellion was probably just for show, to impress his overly strict mother.
Thinking about all this, I casually asked, "Mituli, do you want to be an actress?"
"Ah...ah?" The girl, who was still rambling on, paused for a moment and widened her eyes.
Why do you ask that?
"My mom wants me to be an actress, I don't really have a choice, do I?"
Yoruichi Toyama smiled gently.
"I think there are some."
"At least you can talk to Teacher Jingge and tell her your views on being an actor directly."
"That should be more effective than deliberately going against her."
This was the first time Yoruichi Toyama had ever said such a thing to someone she had just met and didn't even know anything about.
But he may not have time to have a deep conversation with this girl.
The presence of Vermouth himself made the bet quite difficult for him to accept, perhaps...
...I couldn't leave alive.
This can be considered my "last act of kindness" towards strangers.
Yuanshan Yeyi chuckled to himself.
Mituri was so caught up in thought by his words that she was unable to respond to his question.
Who is that kind-looking old man?
“...That’s Kenzo Masuyama, the chairman of a car company.” Hibiki Shizuka had turned back at some point and was standing next to her daughter.
Both Yoruichi Toyama and Mitori felt a little embarrassed, realizing that she had overheard their conversation.
A slight smile appeared on Xiang Jingge's stern face, which usually kept people at a distance.
“I was right. Mr. Toyama is a warm-hearted person, not just a sycophant as they say.”
"Has my reputation really become like this?"
Yoichi Toyama chuckled, concealing the sudden shock in his heart.
He still remembered the name Kenzo Masuyama.
It's not based on past social interactions, but rather on the impression of the original storyline.
Kenzo Masuyama, codenamed Pisco, is also a key member of the brewery.
It only appeared once in the original storyline.
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