The Test Behind the Test
Long before traveling to Osaka and deciding to use Kiichiro Numabuchi as the subject of experimentation, Hayashi Yoshiki had already shipped a capsule of APTX4869 to Osaka using other "disposable assets."
For this trial, Hayashi Yoshiki wrote down three names in the Death Note—Numabuchi's included.
*October 16, 17:49.I drive to Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park and locate a hidden attic in a wooden cabin near Minoo Falls.
I climb into the attic and discover a man in handcuffs.
I conceal a red drug capsule inside a rice ball and feed it to the man. I witness something unbelievable occur.
I then escort the man to an abandoned factory at 8-chome-42, Naniwa-ku, Osaka.
I die of drowning three days later.*
However, immediately after writing this entry, Takeyama Shunsuke died of a heart attack.
Perhaps the Death Note interpreted that his act of drugging another would indirectly result in death, nullifying the rest of the instructions.
This marked a failed attempt at orchestrating third-party manipulation through the Note.
2. Kiichiro Numabuchi
Cause of Death: Suicide*Evening of October 16, I am discovered in the attic by a stranger. After consuming the food he offers, my body undergoes a bizarre transformation.
I'm escorted from the attic to the abandoned warehouse at 8-chome-42, Naniwa-ku, Osaka.
Upon hearing the words "Happy cooperation," I silently accept everything and later jump into a lake at 19:47 on October 30.
But if I hear the words "What a pity," I instead lose all will to act and stab myself in the throat at 11:00 PM in a deserted place.*
By predetermining Numabuchi's own death, Hayashi Yoshiki ensured the Death Note's effectiveness.
His entry mirrored Takeyama Shunsuke's—identical instructions, identical timeline.
But the result was completely different.
Unlike Takeyama, Masato Tsui did not die from a heart attack. The test proceeded as scripted.
This contrast confirmed a theory: As long as the cause of death is physically plausible and logically written, the Death Note will fulfill it—even if it involves APTX4869.
The test suggests that APTX4869 itself isn't uniformly fatal—it depends on factors like genetics, resistance, or random chance.
Hypothesis and Reflection
Then why did Takeyama fail?Perhaps the Note has limited influence over actions that directly harm a third party.Would it have worked if the Note merely said: "He sees the man eat the capsule and witnesses something miraculous"?
Would he still have died just for delivering it?
Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't sure.
He speculated that simply being the transporter of the drug was enough to trigger fatal rejection by the Note's rules.
He'd need to conduct more trials later.
After two days and one night in Osaka, the murder case was finally closed. But the police remained puzzled—Kiichiro Numabuchi had completely vanished.
"That was fun! What do you think, Yoshiki?"
"Osaka was great—and the food's amazing."
"I bought so many souvenirs!" Ran clapped her hands in delight. "Yoshiki-oniisan, can I ask you to help me deliver some to my mom later?"
"Of course. Leave it to me."
They boarded the Shinkansen. The trip from Osaka to Beika took about three hours.
Ran, still brimming with energy at the beginning of the ride, soon began to nod off.
Hayashi Yoshiki, however, remained alert.
A Conversation with Yoko
Checking his phone, he noticed a series of unread messages.
"Yoshiki-kun~~""You won't believe what happened during filming today…""…""…"
She shared a string of lighthearted, day-in-the-life updates.
At the end was a key message:
"I'm finishing early today! I'll be home around 7!"
Hayashi Yoshiki replied warmly to her anecdotes, then followed up:
"I just got back from Osaka. I brought you a gift—mind if I drop it off later?"
"Yes! Thank you, Yoshiki-kun!""I'm so excited~!"
"Haha.""By the way… are we out of what we left at your place?"
That last line stalled the conversation.
Four minutes passed before she answered:
"Maybe you still have some. In that case, I won't buy more tonight."
"Yoshiki-kun, please buy them!""(ǒ＿ǒ)"
"Hmmm~~ Should I or not?"
He was referring, of course, to condoms—their recent… activities had used up quite a lot.
Hayashi Yoshiki enjoyed teasing her innocent reactions.
A Shoulder to Rest On
Suddenly, his right shoulder felt heavier.
Ran had dozed off, her head resting gently against him.
Her warm breath, the soft press of her cheek against his shoulder—he could feel her heartbeat, peaceful in sleep.
Hayashi Yoshiki moved gently, mindful not to wake her.
Outside the window, the high-speed train rattled forward over the elevated tracks.
Judging by her breathing, she wouldn't be waking anytime soon.