"What?! You told the little guy your identity?"
Walking through the campus of Yokohama Marine University, Hattori Heiji sounded genuinely shocked.
He couldn't help but glance at Conan, who walked beside him with his hands behind his head, looking a bit sheepish.
"I couldn't help it," Conan muttered. "If I didn't bring it up at that moment, it would've felt like I was treating Hayashi Yoshiki like an idiot… I really couldn't stand that feeling, so I ended up testing him a little."
"And?"
"Then he just straight-up called me Kudo-san. According to him, he figured it out a long time ago."
"…I told you so," Hattori said with a smirk. "If even I could see through it, there's no way someone as sharp as him wouldn't."
"I think you calling me 'Kudo' in front of him didn't help. I probably gave myself away because of that."
"Hey! That's your own fault for pretending to be a kid but not acting like one!"
The two bickered as they walked.
After a while, their conversation turned to the incident involving Hayashi Yoshiki.
"You mentioned that shootout in Osaka. One of the gunmen escaped thanks to some incredible 'accident,' right?"
"Yeah," Hattori nodded. "We think one of the groups involved might be linked to the Organization—the same one that shrank you. That's what we both figured at the time."
"Then this isn't just someone else's problem," Conan said, eyes sharpening. "Once this is over, I'm going to talk to Hayashi Yoshiki. I want to know what he knows."
"Be sure to tell me what you find out."
"Don't worry, I will."
Following the clues, they arrived at the school bulletin board. As they examined the postings, they unexpectedly ran into Hakuba Saguru.
As the three of them chatted and began discussing the university's Criminology Research Club, Conan was clearly preoccupied.
"By the way, Hakuba," Conan said suddenly, "what do you know about that case with the serial 'accidental' killer?"
"Huh?" Hakuba blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"You know something, don't you?" Hattori asked, crossing his arms with confidence.
—Hayashi Yoshiki had mentioned Hakuba Saguru while in the hospital, saying he might also be in danger. That alone suggested Hakuba was in the loop. Even Conan remembered that during the Sunset Manor case, Hakuba had a private conversation with Hayashi Yoshiki—possibly about the killer who manipulated "accidents."
But the "Hakuba" in front of them wasn't Hakuba Saguru at all.
It was Kuroba Kaito.
He had disguised himself as Hakuba to infiltrate the circle around Hayashi Yoshiki and learn the truth. But now he was cornered by these two sharp-eyed detectives.
"…A killer who uses accidents?" Kaito repeated, stalling. His mind worked rapidly.
So that guy, Hayashi Yoshiki… got tangled up in something like that too? he thought, eyebrows knitting with concern.
He'd have to question him later. Alone.
14:38 PM
Hayashi Yoshiki received a text from Vermouth.
She had successfully severed the connection between the explosive-laden ID bracelets and Ito Suehiko.
Cointreau:"OK."
Vermouth:"Should I disguise myself as a park staffer to collect the IDs? Even if they're deactivated, they're still bombs, after all."
Cointreau:"No need. I've already arranged it."
Vermouth:"Whatever you say."
Hayashi Yoshiki put away his phone.
There was no need for Vermouth to appear again, especially not when Haibara Ai might be watching. He already had plans to send a message to Megure Juzo, requesting the bomb disposal team quietly collect the IDs under the guise of a staff procedure.
Then he muttered to himself:
"Well then, Ito Suehiko's no longer of use. Time to clean him up."
"Ehhhhhhhh~?"
A lazy, flirtatious voice came from the woman nearby.
With her hands braced against the hotel room wardrobe, Shimizu Reiko pouted as she wriggled her hips in playful protest.
"Come on, can't you give it a bit more time, Mr. Hayashi?"
"If we delay any further, those desperate detectives might start getting suspicious," Yoshiki replied calmly. "Even if we erased all traces, they can't be underestimated."
He walked over and gently cupped Reiko's face. His fingertips brushed her cheek, lifting her chin. Her cat-like gaze was half-lidded with intoxicated adoration.
"I don't want anything to happen to someone as important to me as you. Do you understand?"
"…You actually called me important, Mr. Hayashi~?"
"It's true. You're a good woman, Reiko."
"I see~"
Her voice softened into a sultry murmur as she melted under his touch—but inwardly, she was furious at Ito Suehiko.
That pathetic loser… couldn't even hold out for two more hours?!
If he hadn't been so obvious about his interest in her at school, she wouldn't have had to clean up his mess… again.
After Yoshiki went to freshen up, he exited the hotel room first and made a call.
"Mr. Takada," he said, "I'm heading back now. Please inform the client."
"…You're ready to report your findings?" Takada sounded surprised.
"Yes. Please let him know."
Hayashi Yoshiki hung up and glanced at the time on his ID bracelet. It matched precisely with the conditions written in the Death Note.
I don't step into danger lightly. Not without preparation.
Shortly afterward, his phone rang again.
Ito Suehiko.
"I hear you're coming to report the results, Mr. Hayashi?"
"That's right."
"…Your ID shows you've been at a nearby hotel all day. Can that really be called an investigation?" Suehiko paused. "Still, I've placed my hopes in you. If you're confident in the answer you've found, then come. But remember—you only get one chance to report it."
"That's all I'll need."