### Chapter 103: The Request from Takayama Nan

"Ms. Yoko mentioned 'stalker fans'?"

Saying this, Fujino turned his gaze toward Yoko Okino.

"Hehe!"

Yoko Okino gave a slight smile, a hint of embarrassment appearing on her face. "I just thought that Nan-chan might be dealing with stalker fans, so when I introduced you to her, I mentioned it... I'm really sorry."

"It's no problem. Actually, I was planning to ask for your help with some publicity," Fujino said with a light smile, showing no concern that Yoko had mentioned 'stalker fans' to others.

"Huh?"

Yoko Okino looked surprised at Fujino's response. "Fujino-kun, is it really okay to let out the term 'stalker fans' that you came up with?"

"It's fine," Fujino shook his head, lifting his forehead slightly. "The reason I use the term 'stalker fans' is to provide a clear description for those idols who suffer because of them."

"But if the term 'stalker fans' gets out… those extreme fans might retaliate against you, Fujino-kun," Yoko Okino said with a worried expression.

"If it helps those idols to escape their torment, retaliation is irrelevant. I'm curious to see what they can actually do to me," Fujino said with a righteous demeanor, though his words carried a strangely ominous undertone.

"..."

Both Takayama Nan and Yoko Okino were momentarily stunned by Fujino's righteous words. They seemed to envision a fearless young detective confronting evil forces…

But why did his righteous appearance seem so chilling?

Feeling the intense gaze of the two female idols, Fujino suddenly felt a bit awkward. Had they misunderstood something? He was simply looking to expand the market for celebrities using the term 'stalker fans'...

"Ahem."

Fujino cleared his throat and got back to the main topic. "Since Ms. Takayama has noticed that there are stalker fans bothering you, then they must have done something excessive."

"Yes," Takayama Nan nodded and furrowed her brow. "That person turned my studio's cabinets and desk into a mess, and even tried to break into my apartment. Moreover, starting from yesterday, that person has been continuously calling me with the same message: 'Don't sing, don't sing,' and nothing else."

Fujino thought for a moment and asked, "Ms. Takayama, do you remember when these disturbances started?"

"About three days ago. I remember it clearly because I recorded a radio program that day."

"Did you offend anyone during that program?"

"No, I just answered some of the host's questions and played a demo of my new song."

Takayama Nan then took out a Sony player from her bag and handed it to Fujino.

Fujino took the player and put on the headphones.

Listening to the rock music, Fujino's mind gradually recalled memories from his past life.

If he remembered correctly, the so-called stalker fans mentioned by Takayama Nan were actually two vicious robbers. 

These robbers were not harassing her for no reason; they were trying to prevent the release of her new song, which was the demo Fujino was currently listening to. 

Three days ago, when Takayama Nan recorded the radio program, the demo of her new song happened to be heard by those two robbers. The sharp-eyed robbers recognized that the lyrics of the song were referring to one of their accomplices whom they had killed in a robbery at Shoen Temple last year.

To prevent the release of the new song from exposing their crime, they started harassing Takayama Nan and threatened her to keep the song from being publicly performed.

However, they ended up making a big deal out of it, something that no one would have paid much attention to otherwise.

After withdrawing his thoughts, Fujino removed the headphones, rubbed his chin, and guessed, "Since the harassment started three days ago and you played the song on that program, if I'm not mistaken, the message 'Don't sing' refers to not singing this particular song."

Hearing this, both Takayama Nan and Yoko Okino looked at Fujino with puzzled expressions.

Seeing their confusion, Fujino explained, "Since the person is specifically telling you not to sing a particular song, they must be either your competitor… or a stalker fan who dislikes your new song."

"So, what should I do?" Takayama Nan asked, clearly believing Fujino's guess.

"Just abandon the release of the song," Fujino suggested as the best solution.

"But I'm supposed to perform this song at next week's concert..." Takayama Nan furrowed her brows slightly. "And the new album has already been confirmed. It's impossible to make changes now."

Just as Fujino was about to persuade her to give up, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ear: "You have a new system task. Please check it."

[Bodyguard Profession Task: Idol Protection Request

Task Objective: Protect TWO-MIX from any harm affecting their performance caused by kidnappers.

Task Reward: 500,000 yen, 50 points in Bodyguard Profession Skill]

Fujino stared at the sudden system task and was momentarily taken aback.

"Fujino-kun, you must have a way, right?" Yoko Okino asked with a hopeful tone. "After all, no one understands stalker fans better than you."

"Well..."

Fujino closed the system interface, gave a slight hum, adjusted his sitting posture, and displayed a profound expression. "There is indeed another way..."

"What way?" Takayama Nan asked eagerly.

"That would be to entrust me with investigating this incident. As long as we find the stalker fan behind this, the issue can be resolved perfectly."

Fujino replied.

"So, how much would it cost to hire Fujino detective to investigate the stalker fans?"

"700,000 yen."

"......"

Takayama Nan showed a look of difficulty.

To be honest, 700,000 yen was a significant amount for her at the moment.

She was just a singer, not like those actors who could earn from multiple sources...

Fujino noticed Takayama Nan's troubled expression.

He glanced at Yoko Okino, took a deep breath as if making a decision that went against his principles of being a detective: "But since this is for a friend of Ms. Yoko, I'll offer a familiar price."

"I won't charge the extra fee for the secret investigation. For this assignment, it will be 600,000 yen."

Takayama Nan pondered for a moment, then stood up and bowed slightly to Fujino. "Then I'll trouble you, Fujino detective."

"It's no trouble."

60,000 yen is not much, but if the price is raised to 70,000 yen and then given a discount to 60,000 yen, it's an easy agreement.

This shows that the nature of the client is always inclined to compromise and settle.

(End of Chapter)