He became a god in Japan starting with the bear disaster.

Chapter 41 Evidence Presentation

Even in the information age, where the media through which people obtain news has undergone an irreversible shift, Japan's newspaper industry has not fallen to the level of a stray dog ​​on the roadside.

Although the number of newspaper readers and the penetration rate have declined significantly in absolute terms, they are still at a very high level internationally, especially far higher than in many European and American countries.

Today, the total annual circulation of Japanese newspapers remains around 3000 million copies, with a circulation of approximately 225 copies per thousand people, a penetration rate far higher than in other countries around the world.

Furthermore, the newspaper's household subscription rate has remained stable at over 55% for many years, and its trust score is as high as 66.5, second only to NHK. All these data show that the Japanese people attach great importance to newspapers.

It's remarkable that this is a country where fax machines and floppy disks are still used in businesses in 2025.

For Lin Xiuyi, the newspaper's high readership and trust level not only allowed him to amplify the matter, but also meant he didn't have to worry about Yokota having any powerful backers who could quickly suppress the issue.

Unlike internet platforms where rumors are rampant, it's easy to create momentum and easy to suppress, and a single video can garner millions of views, newspapers are something that is difficult to suppress.

Just as serious literature can freely and boldly depict various sex scenes and female physiques, online novels risk being banned if they touch on such topics.

Even the tabloid news in newspapers is authoritative, serious, and easily credible written news, while the various media content on the Internet is low-credibility, entertaining, and a slowdown in thinking that people can't remember for long.

Therefore, when the Mainichi Shimbun was published on Monday morning, a controversy surrounding Yokohama Minato High School inevitably began.

Many people are aware of the news headline for this incident: "Police Failure! The Hidden Truth Behind the Suicide of a Teacher at a Prestigious Yokohama School"

Upon seeing such a headline, two people immediately became anxious.

One was the murder suspect named in the newspaper—Yokota Daiji, and the other was Kanagawa Prefectural Police Chief—Ito Takuya, who was in charge of Yokohama City's police affairs.

Suddenly burdened with a black pot on his head, Chief Inspector Ito rushed to the office building early in the morning and relayed the order to "thoroughly investigate the death of Kenpei Maeda" down the chain of command to the First Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Then it was the detectives' turn to get restless. First, they complained about the media, then there was a lot of wrangling and passing the buck, until a female detective took the initiative to come to them, confidently and loudly proclaiming, "This detective has evidence in hand. As long as I confront that Principal Yokota something-or-other, I can immediately solve the case! Hey, you guys, lead the way!"

Thus, a special task force consisting of two veteran detectives and a famous detective from Tokyo set off for Minatotaka.

Daiji Yokota contributed three copies of today's Mainichi Shimbun. He first tore off a copy after seeing the headline, then tore off another copy while reading the contents, and finally tore off yet another copy after finishing reading it.

"Masako, what's going on? Did you betray me?!"

He flew into a rage and reached out to hit the woman beside him.

However, Masako Maeda remained unmoved. Ever since a certain point in the weekend, this woman had become like a rigid machine.

"No."

Even now, she only denies it and is unwilling to say anything more.

Yokota Daichi ultimately couldn't bring himself to continue hitting her. He lowered his hand and muttered in a daze, "I know, I know, it was that woman who came over the weekend, and that guy who looked like a student that Imai mentioned... It was definitely them who did it."

He then burst into laughter, saying, "They certainly have some tricks up their sleeves, but what can they do to us? Don't you agree, Masako?"

Masako Maeda silently looked out the window, her mind seemingly elsewhere.

"Are you worried about Xiao Che? Don't worry, since the surgery has already been arranged, there won't be any problems. But we need to finish this up first, okay?"

Yokota pulled Masako out the door. "Let's go, let's go to school first..."

In the school campus of Minato High, the oppressive atmosphere that had prevailed just days before when Kenpei Maeda had died reappeared. However, this time, beneath the oppression lay a palpable excitement born from the disenchantment of the dead.

It was like a group of brainwashed green recruits filled with romantic fantasies about the battlefield, and as time went by, their excitement became more and more palpable.

"See? I told you Maeda Kenpei's death wasn't that simple, hahaha!"

"Don't be so happy yet. What kind of nonsense is this? That Principal Yokota would commit murder because of corruption and embezzlement, exchanging a minor crime for a major one? Can you stop joking around like that?"

"Hey, Hayashi Shuichi, didn't you say back then that Maeda was killed by Yokota? You definitely didn't expect this situation to happen now!"

"Probably."

Lin Xiuyi gave a perfunctory answer. He sat in his seat, looking out the window towards the school gate, not really wanting to pay attention to the foolish discussion in the class.

"Tsk, still pretending... It's broken, he might actually have set it up."

"Are you out of your mind? Haven't you heard that he uses underhanded methods to beat people up?"

Lin Xiuyi finally saw a police car parked at the school gate, so she stood up and said to the person blocking the way, "Excuse me."

His every move exuded a solemnity that was not child's play, causing the three students who were discussing to immediately shut up and stand on either side of the road, watching him walk out of the classroom through the back door.

Upon reaching the door, she bumped into Isshiki Kin, who had also come from Class A.

"Shuichi, it's up to you now."

The girl clenched her fist and cheered.

Don't worry.

Lin Xiu nodded.

The visiting detective first went to the principal's office and told Yokota Daichi the purpose of his visit.

Yokota Daichi proclaimed his innocence, confidently and magnanimously stating his willingness to cooperate with the investigation while also indicating he would pursue legal action against those spreading rumors. He glared fiercely at Hasegawa Eri, who had arrived with the police, causing her to tremble.

After some discussion, it was decided to hold a temporary hearing in the school's conference room.

Those present included the defendant, Daichi Yokota; the plaintiff, Eri Hasegawa; two police officers acting as prosecutors; Masako Maeda, representing the victim; and, since it was not a formal court criminal complaint, there was no defense attorney. In addition, there was Hideichi Hayashi, who arrived without prior notice.

He followed Hasegawa into the venue without any hesitation, but the police immediately stopped him.

"Hey, what's going on? This meeting isn't open to students!"

"I'm not a student anymore."

"What?"

Eri Hasegawa hurriedly said, "Hehe, um... he's my Mas—"

"Assistant," Lin Xiuyi interrupted her, "I am Ms. Hasegawa Eri's assistant, mainly responsible for data organization and assisting with speeches."

Hasegawa nodded quickly. The police had no choice but to let Lin Xiuyi in.

Yokota Daichi stared straight at Hayashi Hideichi, then roared in fury, "So it was you! I should have known! You ungrateful beast!"

"Don't worry."

Lin Xiuyi responded calmly.

"Not only am I 'ungrateful,' but I may also have to bring you to justice."