When Conan rubbed his eyes and sat up sleepily, Ran Mouri, who also looked groggy, had just gotten up.
Mouri and his daughter had stayed at the police station until the early morning. Conan, who had returned home earlier, hadn't gone to bed right away either. He had pestered Kazawa about the drug-related topics late into the night.
"It's already this late?" Ran yawned and patted her cheeks. "I need to make breakfast. Dad should be getting up soon..."
Knock knock knock.
A light knock sounded at the door.
"Kazawa..." Ran opened it and was surprised to see their neighbor standing outside.
"I figured you'd be waking up around now." Kazawa poked his head in, nodded at Conan, and raised the tray in his hand. "Good morning. Toast sandwiches and coffee from the shop. Want some?"
"Thank you so much, Kazawa. We just got up... Your timing is so precise, that's amazing." Ran quickly took the tray from him, once again impressed by Kazawa's thoughtfulness.
Kazawa shook his head, brushing it off, then pointed at one of the paper cups. "This one's milk—for the kid."
Conan, who was still half-asleep, suddenly became wide awake. He turned his head sharply, his expression full of silent condemnation.
Too thoughtful! If you hadn't added a cup labeled for "the kid," they probably wouldn't even have thought to bring it up!
He had stayed up late too and desperately needed something caffeinated!
Kazawa watched him with a smile for a while. When Ran went to the kitchen to slice the toast, he took the opportunity to quietly lower his hand and slip a thermos out of his sleeve.
"This is for you. Double espresso." Kazawa whispered as he unscrewed the cap. The faint smell of cold coffee instantly refreshed the senses. "Just don't rat me out if they find out."
Conan's eyes sparkled. He accepted it like a priceless treasure, took in the aroma, quickly screwed the lid back on, and glanced curiously at Kazawa's sleeve.
This cup wasn't small—probably 300ml. How had he hidden something that big without anyone noticing?
"If there's any update from Investigation Section 4, make sure to tell me." Kazawa leaned in and said quietly, "For someone like President Sawai to have access, the chain behind this has to be extraordinary… Especially since this is a drug my parents developed. If it's spreading addiction on a large scale, that would be devastating."
Conan clutched the coffee tightly.
He had actually gone upstairs and pretended to be asleep the night before, and overheard Mouri on a call with others... The situation was looking grim.
But since the news hadn't been confirmed, there was no need to increase Kazawa's burden just yet.
His parents were victims too. For researchers, it's heartbreaking to see something meant for healing twisted for harm.
Conan didn't say any of that. He just looked into Kazawa's clear blue eyes under the morning light and nodded firmly. "Wait for my news."
——
"Where did you get this info—oh right, I forgot. You're tight with Kazawa."
Conan accepted the phone the other person handed him and asked eagerly, "Do you know this drug?"
"Of course I do." Joker lay back lazily in a pile of pillows, patting the cat-shaped one in his arms. "What the Organization sells to the public is a version with diluted active ingredients and some... natural alkaloids added."
"Natural alkaloids..." Conan frowned deeply. Words like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl flashed through his mind.
"And those additives are just a cover. The real addictiveness lies in the active compound itself." Joker flattened his pillow and looked straight at Conan, sitting up. "Guess what the Organization really uses it for?"
Conan's throat tightened. "...Isn't it just a special sedative?"
"Would the Organization go so far as to kill Kazawa's parents just over a sedative?" Joker asked back.
"Sounds like you know a lot about it." Conan once again scanned Joker's unique eye and hair color.
When he arrived, the "Amemiya Ten" he called sister had been busy installing a mailbox and nailing the nameplate on the door. Even though she wore big sunglasses, she didn't share Joker's distinct appearance.
Joker rested his arms on his knees, leaned in, and approached Conan with a pressing presence. "Of course I know. The KA-series drugs stimulate the brain in special ways. Simply put, they can temporarily shut down consciousness. In high doses, they cause side effects like amnesia and emotional suppression for several hours… That's why the Organization uses them as a pre-drug for brainwashing, hypnosis, and other mental control techniques. With this drug, it becomes extremely easy to implant commands and suggestions."
"Brainwashing... hypnosis..." Conan echoed, stunned.
"Yeah. A violent crime syndicate with the power to manipulate minds—unbelievable, right?" Joker's red eyes gleamed like fire in the afternoon sun. "Otherwise, how do you think they rounded up so many experts just to frame Kazawa as a 'juvenile delinquent'?"
——
"That drug from yesterday?"
Goro Akechi closed his newspaper with a snap and looked at Conan sitting across from him.
"You came to my office just to ask about that?"
Conan replied in a childlike voice, "Yes! Uncle Mouri... and Brother Kazawa asked me to!"
"Pfft..." Akechi covered his mouth and laughed. His smile was more ironic than amused. "Little detective, you don't have to pretend. I know you're just curious. I understand how kids like you idolize detectives... Ever since I came to Tokyo, I haven't had a minute to myself. This kind of environment turns detectives into heroes real fast. But even a kid like you wants to be a detective? That's surprising."
Conan's brow twitched at the sarcastic tone.
He'd noticed this side of Akechi when they met at the port.
But even in private, to be so scathing to a child… That was unexpected.
"Well, since you made the trip, I'll oblige. Guests are guests, after all." Akechi folded the paper in half and tossed it onto the desk. "This drug is regulated in Japan. Imports through official channels are very limited. It's only mildly addictive. Its alkaloid content isn't as harmful as opioids in the U.S., where drug abuse is rampant. That said, many small-time dealers have started selling KA03 prescriptions as a kind of… promotional tactic."
"Promotion...?" Conan's face twisted awkwardly at the word being used in a drug context.
"Yeah, it enhances the 'experience.'" Akechi raised both hands and made air quotes.
Now Conan's expression was completely tangled.
"From what I've learned today, it's gaining popularity—especially among college students." Akechi steepled his fingers and touched them to the tip of his nose in a classic Holmes-like thinking pose. "We haven't traced the source yet... But I think the public needs to be warned. Its spread is serious. Sawai Manabu is definitely not an isolated case."
"Warning the public... You're going to talk to the media about the case?" Conan tilted his head in confusion. "But didn't you avoid getting involved yesterday?"
"I didn't want to get involved... I only came back to Japan from the U.S. to avoid this kind of mess. Why circle back to it again?" Akechi sighed and shook his head, sounding theatrical to Conan. "But even if I don't want to be involved, there are other ways to show where I stand."
"What are you planning?"
"Hmm? Aren't you Mouri-san's kid?" Akechi smiled, his amber eyes catching the golden glow of the sunset. "Soon, Mouri and I will appear on a detective variety show on Nichimi TV. He can bring up the topic, and I'll give my 'professional opinion.' Isn't that the natural way to go about it?"