Tokyo Mystery Writers

A generous amount of steam moistened my cheeks, and the murky hot spring enveloped my entire body.

Maijo Kyosuke placed the towel on his forehead and stared blankly at the sky.

Through the gaps in the steam, you could see large, fluffy clouds that looked like cotton candy, and a sky as clear as blueberry ramune soda.

Kyosuke Maijo has maintained this pose for a full half hour.

It wasn't that she liked the position, but coincidentally, there were two girls playing in the mixed-gender bath not far away.

Because they were wearing so little clothing, I didn't even notice it.

Those youthful, energetic, and elastic bodies will still bounce into my eyes like jelly.

Don't assume that Maijo Kyosuke came to the "mixed bath" with ulterior motives, wanting to feast his eyes.

It's simply because compared to the private hot springs inside the house, these public mixed-gender baths are larger, offer a wider view, and are more conducive to relaxation.

Besides, I was the one who arrived first...

"Kyoko, isn't your father the head of the marketing department at Kodansha?"

"Any new mystery novels coming out soon? Can you give me a heads-up?"

"I absolutely loved 'The Uncontrollable Toy' by Tsumabu Awasaka, which won the 31st Japan Mystery Writers Award two years ago!"

"I wonder when I'll be able to see such interesting tricks again!"

"Now when you walk into a bookstore, the entire shelves are filled with social mystery novels, all by Seicho Matsumoto or Seiichi Morimura. It's really getting a bit tiresome."

For some reason, the two girls suddenly started talking about mystery novels and even mentioned Kodansha.

This made Maijo Kyosuke's ears perk up, and he involuntarily moved closer to the two girls, just so he could hear what they were saying.

The girl called Kyoko was closer to Maijo Kyosuke.

His short hair framed his rather dashing face, and his body, floating on the hot spring, was completely free of any excess fat, his skin tanned to a healthy wheat color.

As for why Maijo Kyosuke is so certain that his wheat-colored skin is from sun exposure and not natural?

As Maishiro Kyosuke got closer to Kyoko, he noticed that her fair skin was faintly visible beneath her revealing swimsuit.

"A new classic mystery novel?"

Kyoko's wheat-colored arms swayed unconsciously from side to side in the hot spring:

"My father did mention it briefly during dinner at home last night."

"It seems that the Bungeikan Third Publishing House, which is in charge of the Edogawa Ranpo Award, has recently shortlisted a very orthodox mystery novel."

"You should be aware of the current market environment, right, Mitsuki?"

"With the rise of social realism in mystery fiction, the standards for inclusion in classic mystery novels have risen to an alarming level!"

"At this time, a very classic mystery novel was suddenly shortlisted for the Edogawa Rampo Prize, naturally shocking the entire Kodansha publishing company!"

In contrast to Kyoko's slender, athlete-like physique, Koki is a voluptuous young woman.

Even when hidden in the fog, with only the upper half of her Northern Hemisphere visible, it's clear how well-endowed she is.

Mitsuki is clearly a very loyal fan of classic mystery novels.

When Kyoko mentioned that a classic mystery novel had been shortlisted for the Edogawa Ranpo Award, her tone became excited, and the water splashed from her arm even reached Maijo Kyosuke in the distance.

"Kyoko, what kind of book is that? Has Uncle Mikoshiba read it? What was his opinion of it?"

Kyoko wiped the sweat that almost got into her eyes with a towel:

"My father saw it and liked it very much, otherwise he wouldn't have told us about it at dinner."

"Because of the confidentiality agreement, they didn't reveal the plot to us."

"Speaking of that book alone, it's the most elaborate trick I've ever seen in my thirty years in the publishing industry, bar none!"

Upon hearing Kyoko's words, Mitsuki looked shocked and asked in surprise:

"Kyoko, are you serious? Uncle Mikoshiba would actually give such a high rating to classic mystery novels?"

"I remember that Uncle Mikoshiba liked mystery novels with a setting (science fiction, fantasy, fantasy)."

"I have never heard him praise any classic mystery novel."

"Why the sudden change of heart this time? And why the praise of 'the most brilliant trick ever, bar none'?"

"No matter how you look at it, it just feels a little strange?"

Kyoko shrugged, her misaligned swimsuit making her alluring tan lines even more eye-catching.

"Mitsuki, I don't know how to answer your question, since I haven't read that book either."

"The reason Father gave such an assessment was probably because he was truly stunned by the book's intricacies?"

"By the way, my father told me that the eleven editors of the Third Publishing Department of the Literature and Art Museum were arguing fiercely on the third floor over this book!"

"Perhaps it's because the plot twists in this book are too audacious?"

"In short, I trust my father's judgment; this book is very likely to be the dark horse of this year's Edogawa Ranpo Prize."

Mitsuki was clearly drawn in by Kyoko's words, and moved closer to her, asking in a coquettish tone:

"Kyoko, what's the name of that book? Uncle Mikoshiba must have told you, right?"

"Tell me quietly, I promise I won't tell anyone else!"

"I swear!"

Mitsuki raised her arm and extended three fingers in a gesture of swearing.

The large expanse of white brought out by the movement of his arm made Maijo Kyosuke a little dizzy.

"It's a promise! You absolutely can't tell anyone!"

Kyoko beckoned to Mitsuki with her finger, and Mitsuki immediately understood and brought her hand to Kyoko's lips.

Although Maijo Kyosuke had already guessed the name of the book, driven by intense curiosity, he couldn't help but prick up his ears and lean closer to Kyoko Mitsuki.

"The book is called Astrology..."

Mitsuki listened intently as Kyoko revealed the title of the book, hailed as the most magnificent scheme, bar none.

But then he discovered a figure with long hair, hidden in the mist of the hot spring, sneaking towards him!

"Ah! There's a ghost!"

Mitsuki shouted and pointed in the direction of Maishiro Kyosuke.

Kyoko realized what was happening and frowned slightly as she looked in the direction of Maishiro Kyosuke!

"No! I'm not a ghost..."

When Maishiro Kyosuke saw that Mitsuki and Kyoko had noticed him, he immediately waved his hands and began to explain.

But it would have been better not to explain; explaining only made the situation worse!

"You lecherous devil, and you still say you're not a devil?"

"Sneaking around in the hot spring pool, that's really disgusting!"

Kyoko's words left Maijo Kyosuke speechless.

I finally understood: because the hot spring pool was so large and the weather was exceptionally cold today, a lot of mist was generated.

Kyoko and Mitsuki were completely unaware of their presence when they entered the hot spring.

That's why they wore swimsuits with minimal fabric and frolicked in the hot spring without any restraint!