Beika Theater.
At this moment, the main entrance was blocked by a dense crowd. Over a dozen police officers guarded the door, not letting anyone in.
Conan stood outside the crowd, fists clenched, glancing at his watch from time to time. Finally, he sighed and thought, "It's over. Five minutes have passed. The police were already here and must have investigated the general situation. Once they tell Kurosawa, with his usual speed, he's probably already solved the case by now."
"What do we do, Conan? If we don't get in soon, Brother Hoshino might have already solved the case," Ayumi said anxiously, pacing in place.
Genta nodded, hands on his hips, muttering, "We should have squeezed in earlier. Now we can't even see the theater entrance."
Just then, Mitsuhiko seemed to think of something and lowered his voice. "I heard my dad say that big theaters like this have back doors. Maybe we can get in through the back."
"Right!" Conan smacked his forehead. He couldn't believe he hadn't thought of that. "Let's go. We'll sneak in through the back door without alerting the reporters."
But before they could turn around, a commotion broke out ahead. Someone kept shouting, "They're coming out!"
Conan immediately stopped and stood on his tiptoes to look toward the front of the crowd.
The theater's glass doors slowly opened. Inspector Megure was leading several officers, escorting a man in a theatrical costume with his head lowered.
Kurosawa Hoshino and Ran and the others followed alongside. At the very back, of course, were Rena Mizunashi and her crew, still filming. Because Kurosawa Hoshino had solved the case so quickly, they had to pad the broadcast time—they couldn't just let it end like that.
The next second, the sound of camera shutters clicking filled the air. Dozens of reporters raised their cameras and swarmed forward, flashbulbs creating a blinding band of light in the sun.
"Kurosawa-kun, what was the key clue in solving this case?"
"Is the arrested suspect a theater employee?"
"Kuro—"
A chaotic barrage of questions erupted, almost drowning the group.
"Stop—!" Inspector Megure suddenly raised his voice, managing to quiet the scene. He tried to look stern, scanning the reporters with a blank expression. "The case is officially closed. If you have any questions, you can ask me. Please do not disturb Brother Hosh—cough, Kurosawa-kun. Also, Nichiuri TV broadcast Kurosawa-kun's deduction process live inside the theater. You can watch the replay later. Stop crowding around here."
"What? Nichiuri TV actually broadcast it live?"
"They monopolized such a big story?"
The reporters immediately erupted, turning to glare at Rena Mizunashi and her crew as they came out last. Some couldn't help muttering complaints, their tone full of resentment. They had thought they could get an exclusive, but now they could only pick up scraps—no one would be happy about that.
Inspector Megure ignored the reporters' reactions and turned to Kurosawa Hoshino, saying quietly, "Brother Hoshino, stay close to us." He raised a hand, signaling the officers to clear the way, and carefully escorted Kurosawa Hoshino and the others through the crowd toward the police car parked on the street.
With a "bang," the car door shut, and most of the outside noise was instantly cut off.
Ran, Sonoko, and Aoko all let out a breath of relief, leaning back in their seats and patting their chests.
Ran tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her voice still a bit shaky. "There were so many people this time. I was really afraid we'd be surrounded for ages."
Kurosawa Hoshino looked out the window at the reporters still crowding around the police car and said helplessly, "I have a feeling I won't be able to go shopping with you guys properly anymore. After today's live broadcast, even more people will recognize me. Sigh—"
"Hehe, that's what it's like being famous," Sonoko teased, winking and patting Kurosawa Hoshino on the shoulder.
Ran nodded. "Yeah, look at those big celebrities. Once they get famous, they're always surrounded by people."
Aoko shuddered, her face full of resistance. "Just thinking about having reporters secretly taking photos wherever I go makes me uncomfortable all over. That feeling would be awful."
Kurosawa Hoshino smiled and shook his head, changing the subject. "Let's not talk about that for now. Oh right, Ayumi and the others are still outside the theater. We forgot about them again."
Just as he spoke, the police car slowly started moving. Officers held back the reporters, and after driving for a while, they finally escaped the crowd and sped down the street.
Hearing Kurosawa Hoshino's words, Ran and the others fell silent. The three girls exchanged a glance and shook their heads—given the situation earlier, they really couldn't have looked after the kids. There was nothing they could do.
Just then, Inspector Megure, who was driving, spoke up. "Don't worry. Conan is like a little adult. He'll definitely take care of Ayumi and the others. I'll call someone to check outside the theater and send them home."
"Right, with Conan there, it should be fine," Ran nodded, agreeing.
Inspector Megure glanced at Kurosawa Hoshino through the rearview mirror. "Brother Hoshino, where are you headed next? Straight home, or somewhere else?"
Kurosawa Hoshino looked at the three girls beside him. "I was originally planning to keep shopping after the case was solved. But after all that commotion, I don't have the mood anymore. Inspector Megure, just take us home."
"Okay."
Inspector Megure turned at the intersection and headed toward Fifth Block.
Twenty minutes later.
Second floor of the Mouri Detective Agency.
As soon as Ran walked in, she glanced around the room and pouted. "I thought Dad was lying about going to play pachinko, but it turns out he really went."
Kurosawa Hoshino smiled. "Uncle Mouri had no money, and you gave him ten thousand yen. How many pachinko balls could that buy?"
"Sigh, I softened up back then." Ran regretted it a little, but it was too late now.
"So boring." Sonoko walked over to the sofa and flopped down across it.
Aoko was about to sit next to her, but Sonoko had taken up the whole sofa, so she had no choice but to go sit on the sofa opposite.
Ran suggested, "How about we play cards? Or we could play mahjong—there are exactly four of us."
The three of them stiffened, glancing at Ran's smiling face. A single thought appeared in their minds: Can we let Lady Ran have fun?
Ran blinked her light purple eyes, looking at the silent trio in confusion. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No." Kurosawa Hoshino waved his hand and smiled. "Let's play mahjong. I haven't played in a long time."