Tokyo Metropolis, Beika Town, Tsutsumi-no-Tsugawa.
It was the break of dawn, the sky still dim.
A few cruise ships hurried across the river, sailing eastward toward the rising sun.
On a park bench by the river, a newly arrived visitor from another world was carefully examining "his" driver's license:
"Name: Lin Xin Yi."
"Born: May 4, Shōwa 47."
Seeing the word "Shōwa," he felt as if he had just been struck by lightning, like the Washington Monument in a thunderstorm.
Attempting to convert "Shōwa 47" into the more familiar Gregorian calendar, his last sliver of hope was mercilessly torn apart by some mysterious force—like a tattered American flag in a raging storm.
After a long silence, the otherworldly traveler, who could now be called Lin Xin Yi, began adjusting his emotions:
"I've actually transmigrated into someone from the '70s?"
"Well... at least my last name is still Lin."
But in truth, it was completely different. The Japanese surname 林 (Hayashi) and the Chinese surname 林 (Lín) only looked the same; their pronunciation and origins were worlds apart.
"At least I still look decent—at least I didn't transmigrate into someone ugly."
For someone to look this good even in a driver's license photo, this body's appearance was definitely above average.
"Sigh..."
He let out a soft sigh, set down the driver's license, and pulled a phone from his pocket.
It was an old Nokia, the kind sturdy enough to crack walnuts. The buttons were slightly worn from use, and black grime had built up in the crevices.
"Seems like 'I' wasn't a clean freak."
Lin Xin Yi frowned slightly.
Out of habit, he preferred to keep everything around him clean and tidy.
But the poor guy he had just "taken over" clearly had no such preference.
And worse—his clothes reeked of cigarette smoke. Lin Xin Yi wasn't a smoker and found the smell unpleasant.
He frowned, turned on the phone, and looked at the display.
The date on the screen read: "1996."
Lin Xin Yi's expression grew even more complicated.
So not only had he been reborn as a Shōwa-era Japanese man, but he had also traveled back more than twenty years into the past.
He had occasionally fantasized about living another life, but an unexpected transmigration, without even receiving the original owner's memories, was beyond frustrating.
After the initial panic, confusion, and even despair, he was left with an urgent problem:
"Who... am I?"
Lin Xin Yi knew nothing about the original owner of this body.
A mere driver's license wasn't enough to tell him his own identity.
And if he wanted to survive safely and legally in this past-era Japan, he needed to adapt to his new role as quickly as possible.
So, he carefully searched his pockets for any clues that might help him take over this identity.
"The wallet's thickness is pleasing—seems like I'm well-off."
"A credit card from Yotsubishi Bank, a driver's license."
"The address on the license... hope it matches the actual residence."
"A lighter, an empty cigarette pack—good, at least I won't have to smoke."
"House keys... perfect. At least I have a place to stay."
With an address and keys, at least he had somewhere to settle down.
And there should be more personal belongings at home to help him piece together his identity.
"Better check the phone next."
"Maybe there's useful info in the contacts or messages."
Just as Lin Xin Yi was about to browse the phone, a voice suddenly called out behind him—
A youthful, energetic girl's voice.
"Shinichi~ hurry up and catch up!"
"Hmm?" Lin Xin Yi froze for a moment.
Although he had lost the original owner's experiences, his language skills seemed intact.
He could still speak fluent Japanese, as if he had been born and raised in Tokyo.
And just now—"Shinichi."
Someone was calling his name.
A familiar face?
If so, he had to respond quickly—otherwise, acting strange might expose him.
Thinking fast, Lin Xin Yi stood up and waved in the direction of the voice:
"I'm here!"
"Huh?"
A teenage girl in a loose white martial arts uniform turned around, a puzzled expression on her sweat-dappled face.
She was clearly someone who trained early in the morning.
Her most striking feature—aside from her beauty—was the distinctive "horn" formed by her fluffy hair.
Not far from her stood a young man, panting from exertion.
Dressed in a casual white shirt, slightly disheveled from exercise, he still radiated a natural handsome charm.
A perfect-looking pair—a textbook golden couple.
Both were staring at Lin Xin Yi with confused expressions.
As if silently asking:
"Who... are you?"
"Uh..."
Lin Xin Yi instantly realized something was wrong.
Awkwardly scratching his head, he hesitated and asked:
"That 'Shinichi' just now... you weren't calling me?"
"No, of course not."
The horned girl pointed at the boy beside her.
"I was calling him."
"That's right." The young man spoke up.
"I'm Kudo Shinichi. Shinichi is my name."
A sudden realization struck him, and he smirked:
"Let me guess..."
"You happen to have the same name as me?"
"So we're... namesakes."
Lin Xin Yi exhaled in relief.
"I'm Lin Xin Yi. My name also has 'Shinichi' in it."
But as he spoke, he muttered under his breath—
"Kudo Shinichi... Why does that name sound so familiar?"
"Haha."
Hearing that, Kudo Shinichi chuckled confidently:
"Maybe you've seen it in the newspapers?"
"Trust me—you'll be hearing it a lot more in the future."
His gaze lingered on Lin Xin Yi—observant, analyzing.
Almost like... he was examining evidence.
Lin Xin Yi frowned, uneasy.
"What are you looking at?"
"Ah, sorry about that."
Kudo Shinichi gave a small, polite smile.
"I'm a high school detective."
"I have a habit of analyzing details about people the moment I meet them."
"You know, like Sherlock Holmes."
"High school detective?"
Lin Xin Yi smiled politely but was internally puzzled—
High schoolers should be studying for exams.
Why play detective?
But before he could dwell on it—
A scream echoed from the riverside.
A piercing, terrified cry.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!"
The girl's voice shook the air, startling a flock of birds from the trees.
"T-T-There's a BODY in the water!"