Chapter 54: Cephalosporin with Alcohol—A Spontaneous Departure
Beika Town 1-chome - 11 PM
At 11 PM, most areas of Beika Town were already dark and asleep, except for the shopping district in 1-chome, which remained bustling with activity.
Besides shopping centers and food stalls, the area was filled with hostess clubs, bars, karaoke rooms, and entertainment venues.
A dazzling array of neon lights illuminated the night, the noise and glamor showcasing the urban vitality of Tokyo, this international metropolis.
Even though this was Beika Town—where people were murdered almost daily—the residents believed that life had to go on. If they couldn't afford to move away, they could only live life to the fullest.
Inside a karaoke room, Yuu Mumu was groping a hostess while his business partner across the table did the same.
Both hostesses were around twenty years old, part-time university students from nearby campuses. Besides having excellent figures and fair complexions, they were also skilled conversationalists, currently attempting to project alluring curves and charming smiles, hoping to earn bigger tips from their two clients.
"Mr. Mumu, you're so naughty! This isn't appropriate~"
Mumu's hostess, exuding practiced seductiveness, gently pulled his wandering hand away from her chest.
No extra payment, no extra service.
As a professional hostess, she still maintained her work ethics.
"Boring."
Mumu's interest evaporated, and he picked up his glass and gulped down his drink irritably.
"I'm going to the restroom."
As a middle-aged man, his prostate was a serious issue. Although he hadn't drunk much yet, he couldn't hold it anymore. He could only blame himself for not taking better care of his health when younger, resulting in various problems in middle age.
The karaoke establishment didn't have restrooms in every private room, so he had to use the one in the main hallway.
As soon as Mumu entered the restroom, someone followed him inside.
Before this person entered, a triangular warning sign was firmly placed at the restroom entrance, clearly stating: "Under Maintenance - Do Not Enter"
Inside the Restroom
Inside, Yuu Mumu whistled carelessly as he relieved himself.
Lately, he'd been in an excellent mood—his company's business was booming.
Ever since news of what happened to Haruki Tokinin spread through the company, not a single software engineer dared to resign. They'd all become docile as sheep, working day and night to generate profits for him.
Sure enough, the decision to crush Tokinin's company was correct. Because of that move, the company's revenue increased dramatically this year, and our client base expanded significantly. Kyogi Enterprises is steadily moving toward greater glory.
Suddenly feeling dizzy, Yuu Mumu swayed backward, his steps unsteady from drinking. He didn't even notice the man in black standing a full head taller than him directly behind.
The result was predictable—he bumped straight into the obstacle.
Having long indulged in entertainment establishments while neglecting his health, combined with his current intoxication, the unsteady Mumu lost his balance completely and fell backward, landing hard against the urinal.
"Hey! Are you doing this on purpose?! Don't you know how to move out of the way?!"
Accustomed to his domineering position at the company, Mumu tried to assert his authority again, albeit in a rather pathetic manner—he wasn't sitting in an executive chair, but slumped against a urinal.
The sensor-activated flush instantly soaked his pants, a chill running from his backside straight to his head, making him shiver involuntarily.
Seemingly sensing the disgusting situation, he tried to stand, but his hand slipped on another urinal, causing him to lose balance and fall flat on his rear on the cold, filthy floor.
He felt intensely nauseous.
Natsukawa wrinkled his nose in distaste. The scene was utterly revolting. Indeed, it's best to drink less.
He suppressed his own nausea, grabbed Mumu's sparse hair, yanked his head up, and delivered a sharp kick to his stomach.
The intense pain caused Mumu's stomach to spasm, suppressing his drunken haze. His eyes focused, and he recognized the man in black looming over him.
"You—you are..."
Before he could finish speaking, a capsule appeared in Natsukawa's hand and was swiftly shoved into Mumu's open mouth.
Mumu's eyes widened in shock. Just as he was about to resist, another punch landed squarely in his stomach.
In an instant, Yuu Mumu lost all ability to resist. As he involuntarily swallowed, the capsule went down into his stomach.
"What... what is this?!"
His struggles were feeble. After two punches, Mumu didn't even have the strength to speak properly, his voice barely a whisper.
He felt his heart pounding abnormally fast.
With a documented history of heart disease, he immediately recognized he was having a cardiac episode. He tried desperately to reach for his emergency medication in his pocket, but his arms were completely powerless.
Whatever this person had forced down his throat clearly wasn't medicine—it wouldn't grant him salvation.
He felt terrible throughout his entire body. His heart began to throb painfully, his eyes became bloodshot, and his face flushed deep red.
The flush rapidly changed colors—from red to purplish-red, then to a sickly bluish-red. Even the most skilled kabuki face-changing artist couldn't match the grotesque naturalness of his transformation.
Natsukawa coldly observed the scene, quietly waiting for Yuu Mumu to descend into the abyss.
Cephalosporin combined with alcohol—a guaranteed fatal reaction. Especially considering Mumu's pre-existing heart condition.
The effect is remarkably efficient.
His purplish-blue face slowly contorted in agony. Mumu, writhing on the filthy floor, opened his mouth wide gasping for air before transforming into a projectile fountain, vomiting mouthfuls of disgusting matter.
Natsukawa had already retreated to a safe distance three meters away.
The combination of cephalosporin antibiotics and alcohol causes severe acetaldehyde poisoning—which was exactly Mumu's current state.
This reaction produces symptoms including bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, severe headache, dizziness, nausea, violent vomiting, and in severe cases, myocardial infarction and acute heart failure.
The initial symptoms weren't necessarily fatal—at most causing extreme discomfort—but the final two complications were lethal. Given Mumu's compromised heart condition, death arrived swiftly.
After the violent vomiting subsided, Mumu collapsed in his own filth, bleeding from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. His body convulsed violently for several moments before falling completely still.
This entire deadly sequence unfolded within five minutes.
After confirming the target's death, Natsukawa calmly washed his hands and departed, taking the maintenance sign with him. The restroom fell eerily quiet, as if nothing had transpired.
Only the overpowering stench of bodily fluids gradually permeated the air.
A few minutes later, a karaoke staff member, detecting the overwhelming odor, finally realized something was terribly wrong. A piercing scream echoed throughout the hallway.
However, by then, the killer had already vanished.
The Parking Lot
Natsukawa quickly located Yuu Mumu's car in the parking lot.
"Let's go."
Knocking on the window, Natsukawa spoke only two words to Haruki Tokinin waiting inside.
Tokinin was stunned momentarily, repeatedly scrutinizing the newcomer's appearance and attire before asking uncertainly, "Which organization are you from?"
Natsukawa didn't respond verbally, but Tokinin was already certain of his guess.
"Is that bastard Yuu Mumu dead?" A sinister smile crept across Tokinin's face, his eyes filling with barely contained madness and vindication.
Natsukawa grunted affirmatively, signaling him to exit the vehicle. He then drove them away from Beika Town 1-chome toward their next destination.
The Crime Scene - Inspector Megure Arrives
Inspector Megure arrived at the scene fifteen minutes after receiving the emergency call.
Upon arriving, Inspector Megure didn't immediately examine the body. Instead, he looked around the area expectantly.
Detective Sato Miwako, standing nearby, glanced around curiously several times. "Inspector Megure, is something wrong?"
Megure shook his head thoughtfully, appearing somewhat disappointed not to see a familiar figure.
"Nothing really. It just feels strange not seeing Mouri-kun here."
Sato Miwako was rendered speechless, a metaphorical sweatdrop appearing. Inspector Megure seems to have developed a "Kogoro Mouri Must Be At Every Crime Scene" syndrome.
Sato Miwako donned her mask and led the forensic team to collect evidence.
The restroom was filled with the mingled stench of various bodily fluids—a scene straight from hell itself.
After preliminary observation, the forensic team initially determined that death was caused by acute heart failure following alcohol consumption.
The emergency heart medication found near the body indicated that the deceased likely hadn't been able to take his medication in time, leading to a fatal cardiac episode.
The extensive vomiting at the scene was probably due to severe stomach spasms caused by the heart attack.
As for the bleeding from all seven orifices, the forensic team concluded this indicated Mumu had suffered from extremely high blood pressure.
The Metropolitan Police Department, lacking the intellectual support of a famous detective, was about to hastily close the case as death by natural causes when a sharp-eyed junior officer discovered a crucial detail.
"You're saying that Yuu Mumu's driver has disappeared?"
Inspector Megure asked Sato Miwako with a grim expression.
He'd initially believed it was accidental death from natural causes, but if the driver was missing, it very likely indicated murder.
This provided a new explanation for the bleeding from all seven orifices—the driver, Tokinin, must have used some kind of poison.
Sato Miwako nodded gravely. "The deceased's driver, Haruki Tokinin, was aware of the deceased's heart condition. According to the deceased's secretary, Mr. Miura, Tokinin suffered severe workplace abuse from the deceased. His best friend committed suicide because of the deceased's business practices, and his own company went bankrupt as a direct result. After joining Kyogi Enterprises out of desperation, he was humiliated daily by the deceased."
"Therefore, Haruki Tokinin had a powerful motive for murder—arguably the strongest possible motive."
Sato Miwako's deduction was quite reasonable and well-supported.
Although no famous detectives were present, the Metropolitan Police Department wasn't composed entirely of incompetents. Simple logical deduction suggested that Tokinin had the strongest motive. His sudden disappearance was most likely flight to avoid prosecution.
Inspector Megure quickly issued an arrest warrant, initiating a nationwide manhunt for Haruki Tokinin.
However, Tokinin was already fully prepared when he'd joined the Organization. Moreover, after recruitment, he'd completely lost his freedom and would spend his days working solely with computers and software. The wanted status would have absolutely no effect on him whatsoever.
(End of Chapter 54)
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