The incident of the groom poisoning the bride appeared in the newspapers the next day.
This case quickly became a hot topic, likely because the story was dramatic, emotionally charged, and involved a police oversight from twenty years ago.
Hayashi Yoshiki's name and photograph once again appeared in the press.
That afternoon, he returned to the cardiology department of Beika Pharmaceutical Hospital for his scheduled therapy session.
"I haven't seen you in a week. Mr. Hayashi has become even more famous," said Kyousuke Fudo, dressed in a white coat, as he entered the consultation room with a smile. "At this rate, your signature on my medical chart might become valuable."
"Then why not use that signature as payment for today's session?"
"Haha, I'll keep that in mind."
Fudo Kyousuke laughed warmly.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he glanced at the clock and shifted into a more professional tone. "Has your condition improved this past week?"
"It hasn't improved, but it hasn't worsened either."
"Hmm... As we discussed earlier, the time disorientation has been ongoing for quite a while. It's not something that clears up overnight."Fudo Kyousuke wasn't surprised. "No deterioration refers to all your cognitive and emotional functions as well, right? Including memory and mood?"
"Yes, nothing's changed."
"I must say, I envy you a little, Mr. Hayashi. According to the test results, your mental and emotional health are exceptionally stable."
"Do you feel like the time disorientation affects your daily life significantly?"
"It would be a lie to say it hasn't affected me. But recently, someone's been helping by reminding me of the date each night. Do you think that could be problematic, Dr. Fudo?"
"Not necessarily. But even when someone tells you tomorrow's date, you still can't mentally connect it to today's date, right?"
Fudo Kyousuke nodded, jotting something down in the medical file.
Hayashi Yoshiki took a sip of water from the glass beside him.
When he confirmed that five minutes had passed since entering the office—ample time for the hypnotic gas to fill the room—he activated the red light pattern on his ring and began subtle visual hypnosis.
Fudo Kyousuke paused mid-sentence.
"Dr. Fudo, from a psychological perspective, how influential are names?"
"Names are a fascinating and complex subject," replied Fudo Kyousuke.
As Hayashi asked for further explanation, Fudo elaborated:
"First, a person's name carries psychological weight. I've seen patients try to change their personalities by legally changing their names."
"This is supported by psychology. A new name can serve as a personal cue or symbolic rebirth."
"Second, a name functions as a personal identifier. As an emotional symbol, it becomes internalized during early childhood and is reinforced throughout life..."
Kyousuke Fudo continued to speak in detail.
He was a skilled communicator—a trait that made him a highly effective psychologist.
Hayashi Yoshiki absorbed the information while evaluating his subject.
After Fudo paused, Yoshiki posed another question:"If someone has lived with their name for twenty or thirty years and suddenly changes it, which name do you think their subconscious recognizes more strongly?"
"Consciously, they might identify with the new name," said Fudo,
"But the subconscious retains the imprint of the original name."
"For example, a person called by a childhood nickname might not have heard it in decades, but if a familiar voice calls it out, they'll instinctively turn around. That reaction is embedded in the subconscious."
Hayashi Yoshiki nodded slowly.
The imprint of a name ran deep in the subconscious and couldn't be erased easily.
But what about under hypnosis?
As he touched the ring on his index finger, a thought formed.
"Are you satisfied with your current name, Dr. Fudo?"
"My name? It's fine. I've never had a problem with it."
"Have you ever wanted to live under a different name?"
"Perhaps when I was younger. I considered something flashier back in school, but that phase passed."
"I see. Still, you're a remarkable person, Dr. Fudo. A simple name like 'Kyousuke' feels almost too plain."
Kyousuke Fudo was, in fact, a murderer hiding in plain sight.
Hayashi Yoshiki remembered this vaguely.
Ever since acquiring the Spider's illusion equipment and confirming its ability to induce deep hypnosis, he had been waiting for a chance to test a very specific theory related to the Death Note.
Would the notebook's fatal effect still work if the target no longer recognized their original name?
Would the Death Note judge based on the name society knows, or on the one embedded in the victim's subconscious?
And what if, over the course of the 23-day window allowed by the Death Note, the target was repeatedly hypnotized to forget their name and accept a new one?
Could they, theoretically, survive?
Hayashi Yoshiki wanted to find out.
It wouldn't be something to test all at once—but over time, using sessions , he could influence the mind of Kyousuke Fudo, conditioning him to forget his original name and adopt a false one.
That would tell him everything.
After the session, which lasted about an hour, Hayashi Yoshiki left Beika Pharmaceutical Hospital and headed to the parking lot.
He fastened his seatbelt and started the engine.
Before driving off, he pulled out his phone and sent a message:
Hayashi Yoshiki: "The doctor says I'm in perfect health. Nothing to worry about."
Gin: "I've found several potential rental spaces for your detective agency in Beika City. Sent the addresses and photos to your email."
He even handled such minor tasks?
Hayashi Yoshiki was slightly surprised.