Beika Town — Mori Detective Agency.
"Eh?! You mean all the armored truck robbers were killed?!"
Mori Ran—an eye-catching high school beauty with a distinctive hairstyle and a presence that only grew stronger with time—was currently a second-year student in Class B at Teitan High School.
In the living room on the second floor of the agency, Mori Kogoro sat behind his desk. He tugged at his tie, looking serious, though his attitude remained oddly casual.
"Yeah. One of them was a guy named Beizuka Shiro. He was found dead at home, and the police even discovered the escape route map from the robbery in his house."
"What? Then what about the other one?" Conan asked curiously.
"Oh, that one you know too—the injured security guard, Kishii. From what I can tell, the robbers must've turned on each other. Someone wanted to keep all the money and killed the other two."
"But don't worry," Kogoro added lazily. "The case should be wrapped up soon."
"Huh? Why?" Ran asked. "Did the police find something new?"
Leaning back in his chair, Kogoro picked up the remote, clearly relaxed.Ran and Conan, standing in front of the sofa, stared at him eagerly, waiting.
Enjoying the suspense, Kogoro paused before continuing.
"They found a pink lipstick at Beizuka's place. The police believe it probably belongs to the robber who planned to run off with the money."
Ran let out a sigh of relief, her curiosity satisfied—and she felt a little happy knowing the case was close to being solved.
But Conan, sitting quietly on the sofa with his small arms and legs tucked in, narrowed his eyes. Propping his chin on his hand, he sank into deep thought.
"Uncle, Ran-neechan, I'm going to Professor Agasa's to play games~"
"Don't come home too late!" Ran replied.
Beika Apartments.
Hirota Masami was fully dressed. Her gaze firm, she picked up her keys and opened the door—
Only to find Shimizu Koji standing right outside, his hand raised as if about to ring her doorbell.
She blinked in surprise.
"Hm? Koji? That's rare. Did something happen?"
The resolve in her eyes softened instantly, replaced by a gentle smile.
"Aren't you going to invite me in, Masami-nee?" Koji asked calmly."Or were you just about to head out?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
Koji had always called her Miss Hirota, or occasionally Miss Masami.Calling her Masami-nee so naturally—this was the first time.
For some reason, the smile on Koji's face made her feel… uneasy.
"Ah—sorry. I've been cooped up at home too long. Come in."
After the bank robbery, Hirota Masami had quit her job. Koji knew this well.That was exactly why he had started paying close attention.
And once he did, secrets began revealing themselves one by one—like staring into a bottomless abyss. By the time you see the truth at the bottom, it's already too late to turn back.
Technology in this era was underdeveloped, and the internet was far from mature.But even so, with just a single computer, Koji moved through it with ease—not a top-tier hacker, but more than capable.
And through his investigation of the armored truck robbery, he uncovered a shocking truth.
Hirota Masami—the kind, caring neighbor who had always looked after him—
Was one of the three robbers.
And worse—she was the one who planned to survive to the end and keep all the money.
Stepping into the apartment, Koji noticed nothing had changed since his last visit.He also knew that Masami had barely been home during the day recently.
After pouring him a cup of hot water, Masami sat down with him on the sofa.
"Thanks," Koji said. "Were you about to go out?"
"Yes. I've been at home too long—thought I'd go shopping."
She paused.
Something about Koji felt different today. She couldn't explain it—but she felt it.
"That's quite the coincidence," Koji replied softly.
He took a sip of the water, hesitating.
He hadn't expected today—of all days—to be the moment she went to meet the person behind everything.
Yes. The mastermind.
Most likely, Masami was being blackmailed—forced into this situation.Otherwise, Koji couldn't imagine any reason that someone like her—someone who still cared for her neighbor even while planning a robbery—would do something like this.
He recalled the look in her eyes earlier.
That wasn't determination.
That was the gaze of someone prepared to die.
At least… he wasn't too late.
Still, seeing that resolve meant his plan would have to change.Koji tapped his fingers lightly against his knee.
"Sorry, Koji," Masami said after checking the time. "If there's nothing urgent, I really should go. I have an appointment."
"Oh. I didn't mean to disturb you," Koji replied calmly.
He didn't bother explaining why he'd come.Even if he did—she wouldn't listen.
Without confronting her directly, he only had one option left.
A few minutes later, they left the apartment together. Masami smiled apologetically, waved, and disappeared into the elevator.
Koji lingered in the hallway for a moment. After hearing the elevator doors open and close, he turned toward the stairs—
Click.
He stopped.
"Huh? C–Conan?"
Seeing the rude kid from before stepping out of Masami's apartment left Koji momentarily stunned.
"What are you doing here?"
Conan, rubbing the back of his neck, muttered groggily,"Miss Masami… don't go…"
Koji snapped back to his senses. Suppressing his questions, he shot Conan a glance and sprinted for the stairs.
Downstairs—just in time.
Masami's car was pulling out of the garage.Koji scanned the street and spotted a red Mazda parked by the curb, its window half-open.
He walked over quickly and pulled the driver's door—
It opened.
"Well, that saves me the trouble," he muttered.
Less than five minutes later, two tall, beautiful women stepped out of a roadside café.
One had short hair and a sharp, heroic air.The other had long, glossy black hair and striking features.
"I can't believe you got transferred to Beika, Yumi," one of them said."If I hadn't run into you, I never would've known."
"Hehe, I wanted to surprise you, Miwako—eh?"
"What is it?"
"Miwako… did you come here with a coworker?"
Miyamoto Yumi blinked and leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
Seeing Yumi suddenly freeze, Sato Miwako frowned.Didn't Yumi already know she'd driven alone?
"No… I didn't."
"Miwako! This is bad!" Yumi suddenly shouted."Your car's been stolen!"
"W–WHAT?!"