Chapter 224: Rehearsal

Toru Amuro had been paying close attention to Akikawa Kyousuke's movements recently.

He received the news when Akikawa Kyousuke accepted an invitation to participate in an event at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

Toru Amuro learned that this Showa-era jewelry exhibition, hosted by the Tsukino Foundation, was recruiting professionals from various industries to participate in interview activities during the event.

As an employee of a luxury store, he applied to be interviewed for this exhibition.

Apart from the time he was demoted as a public security officer, the personas Toru Amuro assumed in other jobs were always the same: cheerful, talkative, and charmingly handsome.

Although he accepted the invitation later than Akikawa Kyousuke, Toru Amuro's status as a luxury goods store employee gave him a certain level of knowledge about jewelry.

Thus, he entered the Tokyo Exhibition Center for rehearsals earlier than Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

After learning that Akikawa Kyousuke had handed over his phone to Vermouth and indirectly caused the death of Yuya Kazami, Amuro began focusing on Kyousuke.

Even though he had never had direct contact with Akikawa Kyousuke, Toru Amuro was already aware that Kyousuke's perceptiveness far exceeded that of ordinary people.

He also suspected that Akikawa Kyousuke's mother's identity might be highly unusual.

Therefore, he didn't feel comfortable leaving this matter to other public security officers and decided to make contact with Akikawa Kyousuke himself.

---

"Hello, my name is Toru Amuro. I work at Ginza Paris."

"Hello, I'm Kyousuke Akikawa, an artist at Wonderful."

Toru Amuro didn't approach Akikawa Kyousuke.

Instead, he greeted Kyousuke politely, briefly introduced himself, and then distanced himself once again.

---

"Everyone is here now except for Mr. Tsukino."

"So, let's begin today's rehearsal."

The staff member who had handed an album to Akikawa Kyousuke earlier approached and addressed the group.

After those words, several attendees began moving toward the chairs arranged in the middle of the room.

---

Seated in the center were the host, Nakamura Haruna, the experienced and elderly Professor Matsumoto Kenichi, and Tsukino Takashi, who had not yet arrived.

The remaining guests sat in the side seats behind Nakamura Haruna and Matsumoto Kenichi.

When the exhibition officially began, everyone would face the audience on stage.

This seating arrangement ensured that the audience's primary focus would be on Nakamura Haruna and the featured guest, Matsumoto Kenichi.

At the same time, the guests seated behind them wouldn't be obscured and could join the discussion at any moment.

---

"By the way, Mr. Akikawa, since it's your first time here today, you can observe how others handle their parts and get familiar with the process.

There will also be a segment later where you'll participate in answering questions."

After giving these instructions, the staff member officially began the interview rehearsal for the exhibition.

---

Nakamura Haruna spoke into her microphone, staring at the nonexistent audience before her, as she began introducing the details of the interview and the guests present.

Akikawa Kyousuke, who acted as part of the backdrop, was the last guest to be mentioned.

Following the example of the previous guests, he smiled and waved politely toward the front when his name was called.

---

After introducing the guests, the staff member reached out and pressed a button on the remote they held.

A photograph of a Showa-era jewelry piece appeared on the curtain in front of everyone.

As the host, Nakamura Haruna immediately began speaking.

---

"Alright, we can now see a very delicate and beautiful necklace displayed on the screen.

This is the necklace displayed in Area C, number 2, called [Showa Moonlight].

Mr. Matsumoto, would you please introduce this necklace for us?"

---

The words were directed at Matsumoto Kenichi.

The elderly professor nodded calmly and began his explanation without any notes.

After Matsumoto Kenichi finished his introduction, the host, Nakamura Haruna, turned to Toru Amuro and said:

"Mr. Amuro, based on your many years of experience in Ginza, how would you evaluate this necklace?"

---

"Hmm."

Toru Amuro made a thoughtful gesture before responding slowly:

"In my opinion, this necklace has significant artistic and historical value.

The pendant of [Showa Moonlight] is crescent-shaped, crafted from white gold.

At the center of the crescent's concave surface is a stunning lavender opal.

Surrounding the opal is a sakura flower relief made of pure gold.

The materials combine white gold and silver, with a chain that is both delicate and durable, ensuring comfort for the wearer.

The design of the necklace is simple yet elegant, reflecting traditional Japanese aesthetics while also incorporating a modern sense of fashion."

---

Although it seemed as though Toru Amuro was seeing this necklace for the first time, after a brief moment of reflection, he began evaluating it from the perspective of a luxury goods store employee.

He spoke fluently and eloquently without hesitation, as though introducing his own products to customers in search of accessories.

Listening to him, one could tell he had an extensive understanding of jewelry.

---

"Mr. Amuro's evaluation was very professional. I feel a bit moved after hearing it," joked the host, Nakamura Haruna, before turning back to continue her conversation with the elderly Professor Matsumoto Kenichi.

---

Toru Amuro sat down with a smile.

Without turning his head, he glanced at Akikawa Kyousuke out of the corner of his eye, who was seated at the edge.

After years of undercover work, Toru Amuro understood one thing very well:

To play a role convincingly, the most important thing was to nail the details.

---

Regarding the exhibits mentioned during the interview, Toru Amuro could provide highly professional evaluations just as he had moments ago.

Additionally, working part-time at a luxury store in Ginza gave him confidence that Akikawa Kyousuke wouldn't find any flaws in his persona.

---

After Seto Rin also completed her segment with host Nakamura Haruna, the host turned to Akikawa Kyousuke to ask for his thoughts on the third exhibit.

"Well, this brooch looks luxurious at first glance.

It reminds me of the type of jewelry I've seen in Showa dramas, the kind wealthy women wear to grand banquets."

Akikawa Kyousuke looked at the image of the brooch displayed on the curtain and spoke slowly.

---

"Yes, this brooch was indeed an accessory worn by upper-class women during the Showa era for formal social occasions," Matsumoto Kenichi acknowledged Kyousuke's observation.

However, compared to the unique and professional insights of Seto Rin, Toru Amuro, and others, Akikawa Kyousuke's comments seemed much more amateurish in terms of fluency and word choice.

(End of Chapter)