🎉SCIAW: Chapter 310/312

Chapter 310: The Singing Master

After hearing most of the secrets, Yoko Okino was completely confused.

At first, she thought Ren just had some kind of superpower, but after hearing the details, she realized it wasn't something as simple as superpowers—it was something far more powerful.

"You jumped topics way too fast. Aren't you worried you'll scare me to death?"

Yoko Okino rolled her eyes at her stinky little brother who revealed everything without reservation, grumbling slightly.
Still, she tried to steady her breathing.

She took a sip of soup. It was warm, with a rich bone flavor. The seasonings had completely masked any fishy taste, leaving it pleasantly sweet and savory.

"Phew~"

"So, what I just saw in the kitchen—was that really magic?"

Recalling the scene from earlier, it really looked like telekinesis. There was no sleight of hand, no tricks. It didn't feel like stage magic at all.

"It's indeed Sequence 04 magic. You think it's special because it's a form of magic that closely resembles spellcasting. It's based on magical theory, but more mystical than standard magic. It looks like magic, but what's actually being displayed is power through magic."

"It's just that the kind of magic I show makes people believe it's some kind of supernatural phenomenon rather than a technique."

Yoko Okino thought back carefully and nodded with a serious expression.

"Yeah, that's exactly the feeling I had. You called it magic, but there were no preparations involved. It looked like something out of a superpower, but its core was magic."

"Amazing, isn't it?"

Ren smiled brighter than ever, leaving Yoko Okino a little dazed.

On the surface, he hadn't changed much at all. But something about him felt different.

"Yeah, it really is amazing."

Coming back to her senses, Yoko Okino nodded and confirmed that what had happened in the kitchen was indeed astonishing.

"You can use magic to do things that seem like superpowers without any preparation. Can you even teleport?"

"If it's within a certain range, and within the theoretical scope of what magic can do, then I can still present it in the form of magic. But if it exceeds a certain range, then it's not something I can do yet."

Yoko Okino quickly caught on to the key point.

"So it's not that you can't do it—it's just that you can't do it yet?"

"Yeah. Not that I can't, just that I can't yet."

Now Yoko Okino had a rough understanding of Ren's situation. In short, the power he possessed was far more exaggerated than she had imagined.

Teleportation could be shown as magic. If he couldn't do it now, that meant one day, he probably would.

That kind of power was definitely formidable.

"But with such strong powers, there must be some limitations, right?"

Yoko Okino saw her brother nod slightly.

"The power of the Sequence Path is incredibly strong, but it's also an extremely difficult path to follow. If it's not under special circumstances, it's easy to get lost along the way."

As expected… Yoko Okino's heart tightened. She knew such a powerful ability had to come with serious limitations.

Even though Ren hadn't explained what he meant by "getting lost," Yoko Okino had a bad feeling.

"Heh~"

Ren looked at his sister's anxious face and couldn't help but laugh.

"If there were no special circumstances, then yeah, the Sequence Path would definitely be difficult. But my situation is a bit special. What's hard for others doesn't necessarily apply to me. I don't have to worry about all those issues."

Corruption and losing control were the two inevitable dangers of the Sequence Path.

But once those two problems were solved, the Sequence Path would return all of its benefits.

Sure enough, after hearing that, Yoko Okino's anxious expression eased a little. She no longer looked as worried as before.

Ren continued:

"So, Yoko, do you want to become my believer too?"

"You mean… gain power through the boon you mentioned earlier?"

Yoko Okino thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"In that case, which power should I choose?"

"To answer that, let me ask you—do you prefer acting, or singing?"

"Hmm… I don't really know how to answer that."

Yoko Okino hesitated. As a new idol, she was actually more skilled at singing. After all, she had been training in singing and dancing since her debut. She had only recently begun learning acting, but she felt she had improved a lot.

"Then I'll change the question. Which field are you best at—singing or acting?"

"Singing."

Yoko Okino didn't hesitate when it came to her strongest field and answered decisively.

If she wasn't good at singing, if her breath control wasn't solid, and if she couldn't hold high notes steadily, she wouldn't have been able to debut as a singer in the first place.

After all, she had only recently started acting lessons, but she had trained in singing and dancing for years. Naturally, she felt more confident in singing.

"In that case, how about choosing singing? Singing can bring courage and strength. The more sincere the heart, the more power it can draw out. Singing can also be used to empower yourself. That should help you grow more in the field of music."

Listening to Ren's explanation, Yoko Okino nodded slightly.

She had no experience with supernatural powers and didn't know how to choose. But since her brother was helping her decide, she believed he wouldn't lead her astray.

"What about that thing you mentioned—if I get it someday?"

"That thing will grant people what their hearts desire most. The stronger your desire, the more it will help you realize it. So if you get it, you'll gain the power of a singer even more directly—unless you don't actually like singing yourself."

That answer made Yoko Okino feel even more reassured.

"In that case, I'll choose this one."

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Vester 1 for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 311: Big Eyes in the Show of Play

On the set of a variety show, Yoko Okino stood center stage as part of a punishment segment, tasked with singing an anime song she wasn't good at.

The nervous look on her face was obvious, and the other performers around her all looked like they were ready to enjoy the spectacle.

Although it was technically a punishment game, the show was also a platform for entertainers to showcase their personal skills. Even if it was a penalty, as long as the performer did well, they could still win the audience's support.

Of course, for professional singers, this kind of punishment wasn't that difficult. But for non-professional performers, especially idol singers, it was a serious test.

What's more, the production team deliberately chose songs that the performers weren't good at and used this impromptu challenge to create obstacles.

It was, in essence, a test of an entertainer's professionalism.

If an artist could pull it off, the resulting traffic and popularity could be enormous.

This program had clearly done its homework. Before inviting the guests, they had investigated their skill sets and deliberately selected songs outside of their comfort zones to present them with a major challenge.

I remember saying just a month ago that the agency wouldn't put me on shows like this… and yet, look where I am. Slapped in the face within a month.

Yoko Okino took a deep breath, feeling a little helpless.

Once an artist was tied to an agency, it was impossible to avoid being influenced by internal politics.

Having been in the entertainment world for years, she naturally understood the concept of "being offered up as fodder."

Maybe she'd gone too far lately, and it seemed like she was going against the agency. That would explain why her manager singled her out, and the company just turned a blind eye as a way to warn her.

If it weren't for my Ren, I really would've embarrassed myself today.

It was just a pity that she had only received Ren's power yesterday. That power had nourished her voice, giving her singing an inexplicable strength.

At the same time, her memory had improved greatly. Just by silently reading through the lyrics once, she could remember the entire song.

So, this stage was now her moment to shine.

"I'm ready."

"Alright! Since Miss Yoko is ready, let's begin!"

The male host quickly responded, but his expression—clearly eager for drama—showed that he enjoyed the spectacle.

"Then let's invite Miss Yoko to sing for us!"

"The song is titled Cruel Angel's Action Program!"

Clutching the mic tightly, Yoko took a deep breath. Her voice rang out across the studio.

"Just like a cruel angel, boy, become a myth."

As the opening lyric played, the background music joined in.

The song wasn't particularly loud, but the mic picked up her vocals with clarity, giving her voice the leading edge.

Though she was singing a genre she wasn't used to, Yoko didn't show any signs of struggle.

Her melodious and warm voice was like sunlight shining down on everyone in the studio.

Especially the line, "Young man, become a myth," caused several amateur guests to leap out of their seats in excitement.

"At this moment, the blue wind is gently knocking on the door of my heart."

As the music progressed, her warm voice grew stronger.

It was as if it illuminated the darkness within everyone's hearts, stirring their blood and awakening a long-dormant courage deep inside.

Right on cue, a spotlight from above bathed Yoko in light, making her the clear focal point of the entire studio, like some cinematic special effect had been activated.

In this moment, Yoko was the sole protagonist. Everything else around her was just a backdrop.

Everyone watching the show was stunned.

They expected a fun segment, but no one imagined someone could actually turn things around like this.

Even though this wasn't her strong suit, her seamless vocals, and the way she seemed to sing without even needing to breathe, made all the professionals on set remember her name.

And it wasn't just the studio. All the viewers watching live on TV were frozen in place, staring at the popular idol—Yoko Okino—with blank expressions.

Her voice blended naturally with the music in her own style.

One song held the entire audience spellbound for nearly five minutes before they finally snapped out of it.

"OH!!!!"

At that moment, it wasn't just the amateur guests shouting in the studio, but also the voices of all the viewers watching on TV.

"GO! GO! Yoko!"

Back at the Mouri Detective Agency, Kogoro Mouri had completely lost his mind.

Originally, he had become a fan because Yoko Okino was a beautiful idol. But now, he had another reason—her voice was truly stunning.

Even Edogawa Conan, who had never been much of a fan of idols, was left stunned for several seconds as he stared at Yoko putting down the mic on screen.

So amazing.

Conan, who always thought of himself as rational and couldn't understand fan culture, felt like he finally understood it a little.

It was the theme song of an anime. And yet, when sung by a different person, it felt so incredibly different?

The original was good, but Yoko's version made your heartbeat accelerate. It was like standing in sunlight, feeling the warmth seep into your skin.

The performance seemed to ignite something in him. Even someone as composed as him felt like his blood was boiling.

Just then, Ran walked out of the kitchen carrying a lunchbox.

She glanced at the TV and pursed her lips. Her reaction was subtle, but something felt off.

There was no need to say it. She already knew what was going on.

Ren had pulled Okino in as well.

When she saw Yoko at Ren's house yesterday, she had already guessed this would happen.

And Ren had been right by Yoko's side when she couldn't control her emotions. That clearly showed their relationship was unusual.

But based on what she and Sonoko knew, it was almost guaranteed that Yoko Okino would eventually receive a diary.

Just like Aizawa Sakuya—already confirmed.

"Dad, dinner's almost ready."

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

Ran set down the lunchbox and went to open it. Standing outside was a boy with dark skin and a baseball cap.

"Excuse me, are you delivering something for someone?"

"No, I'm looking for someone. I'm trying to find someone named Kudo Shinichi."

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Vester 1 for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 312: Hattori Heiji

Kudo Shinichi… Ran Mouri focused on the unfamiliar boy who had just said Shinichi's name. She truly didn't recognize him, so she probably didn't know him personally.

"May I ask, how did you come to believe that Kudo Shinichi is here?"

It shouldn't be someone from that organization… Ran didn't think someone from that group would be so foolish as to come asking so directly.

"Oh, I first went to Teitan High School. But the teacher there told me that Kudo Shinichi hadn't attended in a long time. I originally wanted to ask for his home address, but the teacher refused due to privacy reasons."

"I then asked around the school and managed to find out where Kudo Shinichi lived. But when I went there, I found the gate hadn't been opened in a long time. I went back to the school and asked who he was closest with, and that led me here."

As he spoke, the boy removed his baseball cap and pulled out a student ID.

"First off, I'm not a suspicious person. I came here because I heard Kudo Shinichi is quite famous. As a high school student and detective myself, I thought we might have something in common."

"Of course, I have some personal motives as well."

A high school detective…? Ran glanced at the name on the student ID: Hattori Heiji, second-year student at Kaikata Academy.

His accent sounded Kansai, so was he from Kyoto, Osaka, or maybe Kobe?

Now that she had the name of his school and his full name, it would be easy to verify. Since he was showing legitimate identification, he likely wasn't lying.

Ran hesitated for a while but didn't reveal anything directly about Shinichi's current situation.

"Shinichi's situation is… complicated. Too complicated to explain casually."

"Is it... a matter of safety?"

Ran hesitated slightly, then gave a small nod.

"I was wondering why there hadn't been any news about him for the past two months…"

Hattori Heiji muttered this to himself, catching Ran a little off guard.

"You… guessed it?"

"Yeah, I had a hunch. I intentionally searched for articles and reports on him in various papers. I figured he was probably similar to me, someone who enjoys standing in the spotlight. So when he disappeared from the news for two whole months, I figured something must have happened."

Originally, Hattori Heiji had only been speculating. But after receiving confirmation from someone close to Shinichi, he was now nearly certain—Kudo Shinichi was in serious trouble.

Two months was simply too long. For someone who liked to show off his skills, vanishing from public reports entirely, without any police updates, meant something had definitely gone wrong.

"Miss, so you already know what happened to Kudo Shinichi? But were told not to talk about it?"

Ran nodded slightly.

"So that's how it is…"

Ran noticed Hattori Heiji's eyes dim for a moment. She had the feeling that this boy already understood a good part of the truth.

"Miss, do you know what happened to Kudo Shinichi before he disappeared?"

"I know a little."

Ran didn't deny it.

"Miss, may I trouble you for a bit? I'd like to hear what happened before Kudo Shinichi disappeared."

"…"

Ran fell silent for a moment before kindly reminding him:

"Mr. Hattori, I know detectives tend to be proud, but I still hope you won't pursue this too deeply."

"There are things that are hard to talk about. Shinichi really got into something big."

"I understand."

Ran noticed the look in Hattori Heiji's eyes. It was firm and unwavering. In the end, she sighed and stepped aside to open the door.

"Come in, then."

"Thank you very much."

Hattori Heiji put his cap back on and bowed politely in gratitude.

The two people in the detective agency had already shifted their attention away from the TV. Both Mouri Kogoro and Edogawa Conan were now fully focused on the visitor following Ran in.

"Ran, is this… a client?"

Mouri Kogoro glanced at Hattori Heiji with some suspicion.

"No, he's a detective too. He came today to ask about Shinichi."

Mouri Kogoro's expression instantly changed.

Gone was the washed-up uncle who had just been watching idols on TV. His demeanor immediately snapped back to that of a seasoned detective.

"Kid, I don't know who you are, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Don't get involved. There are some things that knowing won't benefit you."

But Hattori Heiji didn't back down at all.

At this point, he had pretty much confirmed that the Kudo Shinichi he was looking for was in serious danger. He had suspected it before, but hearing it from those close to Shinichi stirred something in him.

"Uncle, I understand that detectives often face danger. But even so, I still want to know what happened to Kudo Shinichi."

"It may just be a teenage impulse, but I want to know the truth. I may not have the best approach, but my father has some influence. I can report what I find to him. Maybe he'll be able to help."

Mouri Kogoro raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected this kid to have connections.

"Your father?"

"Hattori Heizo, Superintendent of the Osaka Prefectural Police. He's my father."

That name caught Mouri Kogoro off guard.

"Superintendent?"

Of course he had heard of Hattori Heizo. Not only in the past, but even now he frequently appeared on TV.

The highest-ranking officer in the Osaka Prefectural Police. No wonder this kid had the nerve to come asking such bold questions… Mouri Kogoro could now understand his intentions. With both ability and background, maybe he really could help Kudo Shinichi.

But the mystery surrounding Kudo Shinichi was filled with complexities. Mouri Kogoro couldn't just share details without permission.

"Kid, your father might hold a high position, but there are still some things you shouldn't get involved with. That brat got himself into trouble because he acted on his own. I don't want the Superintendent of Osaka coming after me either."

(To be continued.)