Beyond the Truth: Mouri's Odyssey

Chapter 15: The Murder Case at the Golden Music Festival (2)

The group of three followed Boa into the tokyo Television Station. Built 30 years ago, the station, though renovated multiple times, still had a slightly outdated feel. Boa introduced the rooms they passed as they walked along.

"This is the recording room, this is the dance studio, and this is where the trainees practice."

Inside the station, Boa strutted around like a boss. Every trainee who passed by greeted her, but she didn't bother responding to most of them.

Ever since SM Entertainment popularized the trainee system, it quickly became a trend across Japan. Even long-established tokyo Television Station housed a group of young trainees.

As expected, beauties were everywhere along the way. Conan's wide-eyed stare made his fascination evident, which only confirmed Ran and Boa's suspicions about what kogoro had said earlier.

kogoro chuckled inwardly, thinking, 'Seventeen-year-old boys full of hormones really can't control themselves.'

The passing trainees occasionally glanced back at kogoro.

"Who's this handsome older gentleman? Boa-san is personally accompanying him."

"He looks so sophisticated. I don't think he's an artist—maybe an executive from an entertainment company. Boa-san is so lucky."

…

The girls' eyes sparkled as they stared at Kogoro, while the younger male trainees looked on with jealousy and envy.

Soon, the four arrived backstage at the Golden Music Festival recording area. Led by Boa, they entered Yoko Okino's private dressing room, where a camera was currently filming Yoko practicing.

"Mouri-san!" Yoko immediately stopped her practice upon seeing kogoro and stood up with an eager expression.

"Yoko-san, are you practicing a new song?" kogoro approached with the others.

"Yes! This is my secret weapon for tonight—a song Boa wrote for me called Golden Shine. I'm confident it'll help me make it to the top three this time." Yoko radiated energy as she spoke.

In truth, Yoko's journey in the Golden Music Festival was quite challenging. She constantly faced three towering competitors: the pop diva Hamasaki Ayumi, the seductive goddess Lee Hyori, and the soulful ballad king Kazumasa Oda. Yoko and Yuko Ikezawa often lingered around fourth, fifth, or sixth place.

However, Yoko had it slightly better than Yuko, as she consistently managed to keep her in check. But once the Filipino singer Asibian was eliminated, Yoko and Yuko's standings would become precarious.

"I didn't realize Boa-san was so talented," kogoro remarked.

"Of course!" Boa lifted her head proudly, showing off her elegant, swan-like neck.

"And who are these two?" Yoko asked curiously, looking at Ran and Conan.

"My daughter, Ran, and a freeloading little pervert living at my house named Conan," Kogoro introduced, never missing an opportunity to throw shade at Conan.

"Uncle Mouri! How am I a pervert?" Conan protested and lunged at Kogoro, only to be met with a swift flick to the forehead. He clutched his head in pain and crouched down.

'Why does bullying a child feel so satisfying?' Kogoro thought smugly.

Yoko laughed. "Mouri-san, your family is so amusing. By the way, aside from the challenger contestants, there are also special guest performers tonight. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

At that moment, a bespectacled man in a suit entered the room. Mouri and the others immediately recognized him as Matsuo Takashi, the announcer and chief producer of the Golden Music Festival—a familiar face indeed.

Matsuo had earned the title of the "man Japanese people most want to punch" because he dragged out the results announcement times for the show, much like a certain infamous host from a past life. However, he was dedicated to the program and personally handled all matters, including informing singers before their performances.

"Yoko-san, the live broadcast is about to start. Please get ready," Matsuo said before leaving to notify the other singers.

"My apologies." Yoko bowed politely.

"In that case, we'll go watch the broadcast. Good luck, Yoko-san!" kogoro stood to leave, and Boa led the group out of the room.

Feeling curious, Kogoro asked, "Boa-san, do you know who tonight's challenger contestant is?"

"Of course I do. I watched the rehearsals. It's a hip-hop artist from a boy band named Kwon Ji-yong. This guy has a strong background—drug scandals, partying, and fooling around with women, yet no real accomplishments. But thanks to his connections, he managed to edge out Yamashita-san and become tonight's challenger."

"I find it strange. Matsuo, who has such high standards for music, rejected so many candidates who tried to buy their way in. How could he let this guy participate? Honestly, they'd be better off letting me perform," Boa complained.

The group soon reached the live broadcast hall on the eleventh floor, which was already packed with an audience.

"Wait, Boa-san, this isn't the way to the audience seating," Kogoro pointed out.

Boa turned back with a sly smile. "Of course not. We're going backstage. You can see better, hear better, and even meet the contestants. Come on."

With Boa leading the way, they moved effortlessly past security and reached the backstage area. There, Hamasaki Ayumi was adjusting her breathing while a camera captured the moment. Ran's eyes lit up immediately.

Truth be told, Ayumi wasn't particularly beautiful—short in stature and heavily made up like a Barbie doll. But her singing was undeniably exceptional, and even Ran was a fan.

Nearby were a few sofa chairs. The group sat down and watched the stage, where a comedy duo was warming up the crowd.

Soon, the comedians left the stage, and the Golden Music Festival officially began.

Matsuo's voice rang out: "The seventh round of the Golden Music Festival begins now. Please welcome last week's champion, the diva Hamasaki Ayumi, performing her song 'Dearest'!"

The stage lights illuminated everything, making the stage shine brilliantly. The band started playing, and invigorating notes filled the air as Ayumi strode forward with an explosive aura.

'"Hon'tō ni taisetsu na

Mono igai subete sutete

Nokoshita mono ni kidzuku"'

The venue erupted into cheers. Ran stood up excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "As expected of Ayumi—so amazing!"

The powerful voice from such a petite frame unleashed the full aura of a diva. Even Kogoro, with his masterful singing skills, found Ayumi's performance nearly flawless.

Everyone was immersed in the beautiful music, even Boa, who stood up to wave her light stick and cheer.

But then, a jarring noise broke through. Conan, tone-deaf as ever, was singing along while holding a water bottle as a microphone, polluting everyone's ears. Even the usually gentle Ran couldn't help but scold him. "Conan, stop it!"

Conan was left feeling utterly defeated.