Putting other things aside, Kurosawa Hoshino was a little surprised. His Source Points had increased, which meant this was actually an episode from the original story—one he hadn't remembered.
"Cough, looks like there was nothing memorable in this episode. I didn't have any impression of it at all." Kurosawa Hoshino thought helplessly. But it wasn't a big problem. Whether it was an original episode or not, as long as he was here, he would solve it. In other words, the Source Points were his either way—unless he wasn't present.
"Still 7 Source Points short. Not far now."
Kurosawa Hoshino stopped thinking about it and glanced at Ai in his arms. He said softly, "Do you want to get down and walk?"
"Mm~" Ai responded very quietly, also feeling a little embarrassed. But compared to her initial fear and terror, she now felt much more relaxed. As long as she didn't foolishly wander in front of the one who scared her—Rena Mizunashi—she probably wouldn't be noticed.
"Miss Asano, are you okay?" Ran walked over and helped Aki Asano to her feet.
"I—I'm—I'm fine." Aki Asano calmed herself down, went over to Rena Mizunashi, and said gratefully, "Senior Mizunashi, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened to me."
"Then you're thanking the wrong person." Rena Mizunashi gestured toward Kurosawa Hoshino in his cap and mask. "Actually, it was Kurosawa-kun who found you. Otherwise, we wouldn't have known you were here."
"Huh?" Aki Asano looked at Kurosawa Hoshino in surprise.
"So don't thank me. You should thank him properly."
"Mm, mm."
Aki Asano jogged over to Kurosawa Hoshino and grabbed his hand. "Kurosawa-kun, I knew it was you. After all, wherever Miss Mouri is, Kurosawa-kun is always nearby. Thank you, truly, thank you so much. I never expected her to actually come after me."
"Miss Asano, I'm just glad you're okay." Kurosawa Hoshino offered some appropriate comfort to the woman who had earned him 1 Source Point.
After chatting for a bit, everyone gathered around the figure in the ski mask. Looking at the slender build, there was no need to guess—it was a woman.
"I'll take it off." Genta said, pulling off the woman's mask to reveal an angry face. It was Kazumi Tsukumo, the very woman they had seen in the lobby earlier.
"Just as I thought—a bad woman," Genta said in disgust.
"Miss Tsukumo." Ran hadn't expected it to be her.
Rena Mizunashi asked flatly, "Why did you do this? Was it just because you were pushed out of the News City program?"
That was the only reason she could think of for Kazumi Tsukumo to resort to this.
"Isn't that enough?" Kazumi Tsukumo looked up and glared resentfully at Aki Asano. Unwillingly, she said, "I was the original host of News City. I was the first to broadcast it. But—just because she's younger and prettier than me, they replaced me right away. I can't accept that. It makes no sense."
"Heh~" Her words made Rena Mizunashi laugh.
Everyone couldn't help but look at her.
Rena Mizunashi's expression sobered, and her tone was completely flat. "Is this your first day working at a TV station? Isn't this a place where only people with connections, good looks, and real ability can survive? The mediocre are always eliminated. So what are you complaining about? If you're not pretty enough, then take it back with your skills."
"I—I—" Kazumi Tsukumo lowered her head, regret welling up inside her. She didn't understand why she had only thought of this method back then and never considered relying on her own abilities.
Rena Mizunashi looked at Kurosawa Hoshino and sighed. "Kurosawa-kun, you should call the police."
"Um—" Aki Asano seemed reluctant and said quietly, "Actually, I wasn't hurt. How about we give Miss Tsukumo a chance?"
Kurosawa Hoshino said calmly, "Miss Asano, are you sure? If we hadn't arrived in time, would you really still be safe right now?"
Conan thought they should call the police, but he had no say here, so he silently waited for Aki Asano's answer.
"I—" Before Aki Asano could finish, Kazumi Tsukumo interrupted her. "I'll call and turn myself in. Asano, thank you for your kindness."
She looked at Aki Asano, her eyes moist. "No matter what punishment I end up receiving, I hope we can be friends."
"Okay. I'll put in a good word for you with the police." Aki Asano stepped forward and helped Kazumi Tsukumo up.
Kurosawa Hoshino shrugged. The victim wasn't him anyway—Aki Asano could do as she liked.
Since both parties involved in the incident had spoken, no one else could say anything. They respected their decision, though whether they approved was another matter—that was up to each person's own thoughts.
The scene shifted.
Outside Nichiuri TV Station.
Inspector Megure arrived. He spotted Ran in the crowd at a glance, then saw Kurosawa Hoshino beside her in his cap and mask, and his eyes lit up.
——
——
He was about to greet them when he saw Kurosawa Hoshino wave his hand. Understanding immediately, he nodded discreetly, didn't go over to disturb them, and led his people inside.
"Hoshino, did Inspector Megure recognize you just now?" Ran asked quietly.
Kurosawa Hoshino smiled. "Is it possible he recognized you first, and that's how I got exposed?"
"Are you blaming me?"
"No. I'm just stating my deduction."
"Hmph. The internet even says I'm your girlfriend, and I didn't say anything. Now you're blaming me."
"..." Kurosawa Hoshino said helplessly, "Don't misunderstand. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just stating the result of my deduction about how I got recognized."
"You're blaming me." Ran pouted and turned her head away unhappily.
"..."
Kurosawa Hoshino felt a little stifled. For the first time, he experienced what his seniors felt when coaxing their girlfriends. Even Ran could occasionally get upset over a single sentence, let alone other girls.
Meanwhile, with Conan and Ai.
Conan asked quietly, "Haibara, have you fallen for Kurosawa? Otherwise, why were you clinging to him so much back there?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain on the top of his foot and almost cried out. He glared at Ai.
"You—"
"Hmph." Ai coldly pulled her foot back from his. She said flatly, "If you spout nonsense again in the future, I can't guarantee you'll ever return to normal."
Conan had nothing to say. That sentence struck his weak spot perfectly, and he didn't dare retort.
"Actually—" Ai said quietly, "I have an ability too. I think it can compare to his."
"What do you mean?"
"When I encounter members of the organization, I instinctively feel afraid. That oppressive aura—I'll never forget it for as long as I live."
After saying that, Ai glanced at Kurosawa Hoshino, who was coaxing Ran.
Conan: "..."
Conan was about to ask why everyone else had special abilities while he had none. But the next second, he realized something, and his pupils shrank to the size of peas. "You—you're saying there was an organization member in there just now?"
"Yes."
"Who?" Conan was excited. After so long, he had finally found another Black Organization member.
Ai said quietly, "It's Miss Mizunashi. The feeling she gives me is the same as the organization's executives."
"What?" Conan was shocked. He never would have expected Ai to name Rena Mizunashi.
"Of course, it's possible my perception is wrong. Also, it's best not to alert the enemy. I don't want to be killed by you."
Finally, Ai didn't forget to add a warning.
Conan said nothing and nodded. Of course, he didn't dare act recklessly either. If Ai's perception was wrong, it would be terribly awkward. But if it was right, and he alerted the enemy and got himself killed, that would be an unjust death. So he had to be very careful.