Liu A'dou understood why Logan was feeling down, but the problem was that Logan had brought it upon himself. Jean and Cyclops were in a proper relationship, but Logan had to interfere. Jean and Cyclops' actions were to be expected—Jean felt guilty. While matters of the heart can't be forced, she felt that she couldn't resist the temptation, leading to Cyclops leaving, and then she left as well. They both chose to avoid the issue.
This was the difference between them and Logan. Jean and Cyclops were like sheltered flowers, and it was normal for them to run away from problems.
"So, how did you end up in Japan?" Liu A'dou asked.
"A friend invited me to travel here," Logan replied.
"And me? I'm here for the same reason, just sightseeing," Liu A'dou said, taking another sip of his drink.
"Logan-san, I finally found you!" A cheerful female voice called from behind them.
Liu A'dou turned around and saw a traditionally dressed Japanese girl, with straight red hair and blunt bangs, wearing an ultra-short skirt with a thick coat. This outfit was quite common in Japan on days when the weather was neither too cold nor too warm.
"So, this is the friend who invited you to Japan?" Liu A'dou asked.
"No, her grandfather," Logan said.
"Hello, I'm Yukio. Nice to meet you," the Japanese girl introduced herself in heavily accented English.
Liu A'dou smiled. "I speak Japanese. I'm Liu A'dou, Logan's friend from the United States."
Yukio's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Liu A'dou to be so good at Japanese. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were Japanese yourself."
"Please don't," Liu A'dou chuckled. "Since your friend has found you, I'll take my leave."
"Liu-san, since you're a friend of Logan-san, please join us for Mr. Yashida's family dinner. My grandfather would be very happy to meet Logan's friend."
"Ah, the Yashida family. I've heard of them. If Mr. Yashida doesn't mind, I'd be honored to attend."
"My grandfather won't mind at all," Yukio said confidently.
Liu A'dou immediately picked up on the situation. He remembered hearing that Mr. Yashida was nearing death. He had a son, a granddaughter, enemies, and friends. Liu A'dou could already sense that there was something going on. He'd learned long ago that when a rich person invited him somewhere, it never led to good things. If someone left a mansion alive, it was considered a rare victory.
Liu A'dou chuckled to himself, immediately suggesting that Logan and Yukio join him at a nearby store to pick out proper outfits. "Logan, your clothes are too casual. It's disrespectful."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Logan asked, still dressed in his usual Western cowboy attire—tight pants and a vest jacket—but he didn't care much.
Forget it. Liu A'dou thought, knowing he couldn't change Logan's mind.
The car was ready, and on the way, Liu A'dou began asking about Mr. Yashida. "It seems Logan is a very important friend to Mr. Yashida. He even sent his granddaughter to take care of him. I really respect this Mr. Yashida."
Yukio replied, "Actually, I'm not Mr. Yashida's biological granddaughter. He adopted me. The real granddaughter, Miss Mariko, is his biological granddaughter. But I grew up with Mariko. He found me in a trash can and asked me to call him 'Grandfather.' So, I respect him as I would my own grandfather."
"I see," Liu A'dou nodded, understanding.
"What? What did you say? Can you all speak English?" Logan asked, clearly lost in the conversation, as he wasn't familiar with Japanese at all.
Liu A'dou explained again, and Logan showed a look of realization. But Liu A'dou couldn't help but ask, "Haven't you been to the Yashida family yet? You don't seem to know much about them. Aren't you two friends?"
"Old friends from 70 years ago. We haven't seen each other in seventy years. I'm only going to meet him today," Logan replied. He'd been in Tokyo for a few days, just wandering around, and today, he finally met the person who invited him.
"Then Miss Yukio, to avoid being rude, could you introduce the members who will be attending the family dinner?"
"Besides Lord Yashida, there is his son, Mr. Yashida Shingen, Lord Yashida's granddaughter, Miss Mariko, and Lord Yashida's personal physician, Miss Midori. Also, Miss Mariko's fiancé, the Minister of Justice, and his family."
There weren't many people, indeed just a family dinner. But within the small group, the relationships were quite complex. First, the relationship between Lord Yashida and his son wasn't good. Shingen once made a misjudgment that led to a catastrophe for the Yashida Group. This caused Lord Yashida to lose trust in his son and not want to pass the group he built to such an inexperienced person.
The relationship between Shingen and his daughter Mariko wasn't any better either. Mariko was very unhappy with her father arranging a political marriage for her and resented his constant antagonism toward her grandfather. Of course, just as her father was rude to her grandfather, she was also rude to her father.
However, the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter was very good. Lord Yashida had plans to pass on the family business to Mariko. So, the relationships between the three generations were delicate, and around the massive inheritance, conspiracies were brewing.
Liu A'dou and Logan arrived at the large mansion in Tokyo. The Yashida family in Tokyo was like the Wayne family in Gotham or the Stark family in New York—a powerful force among the wealthy.
At the entrance, there was a metal detector, one of Logan's most hated modern inventions. Every time he passed through, it would go off. Fortunately, Yukio was with them, which allowed Logan to pass through without trouble.
It was a traditional Japanese mansion. They removed their shoes at the genkan, and the servants moved with great care, not daring to step out of line. Once inside, Yukio seemed to change completely, becoming more cautious. In this home, besides the luxury, there was no warmth or familial affection.
Logan was uncomfortable. Americans didn't have the habit of removing shoes at the door.
Liu A'dou, however, felt at home. After all, he had lived in Japan for decades. He was also wondering who would die today. What would the method of death be? He guessed it would likely be a murder in a locked room, as mansions and locked rooms often had an inseparable connection. The likely victim was Mr. Yashida himself. His control over the family made it difficult for the younger generation to make a name for themselves, and this kind of figure often arouses hatred in the younger generation, who may attempt to take their place.
However, Liu A'dou thought that the reason Yashida invited Logan to Japan definitely wasn't just to reunite old friends. Perhaps Yashida wasn't done living yet and wanted to borrow Logan's life.
It was very quiet—so quiet it felt unsafe.
More people arrived one after another, and Liu A'dou met the family of the Minister of Justice. The middle-aged man in his forties was Miss Mariko's fiancé, confirming the political marriage.
Suddenly, Yukio stopped, her face full of shock. She also had a superpower, the ability to foresee death, and at that moment, she had foreseen that someone would die. But there were so many people that she couldn't tell who it would be.
"What's wrong?" Logan asked.
"I have a bad feeling," Yukio said. "I sense that someone will pass away tonight."
Oh, it's starting, huh? Liu A'dou thought, excitement building up inside him. The event was about to unfold, and it was time for a test of wits. Though it wasn't great, Liu A'dou was genuinely looking forward to a murder happening here.