Ch. 181..190

Chapter 181 - 181: Mission Accomplished

(It's time to start preparing to run.)

Disguised with a cold, sharp face, Amuro Toru sprinted down the ruined corridor of the bombed-out building, dust and debris clinging to his clothes and hair.

He was finally approaching ground level.

The explosions triggered by Vermouth had collapsed multiple passages, burying personnel and creating chaos throughout the structure. Navigating through it was nearly impossible.

Rustle...

A soft sound from his earpiece broke the silence.

Still alert, Amuro spoke first:

"I almost got caught in your fireworks show. Next time, I'm not doing a mission like this with you."

"Hmph. You sound lively enough," Gin's sarcastic reply came through coolly.

Amuro ignored it.

Having reached the first floor, he looked around for a getaway vehicle. Given the confusion, no one should be paying attention to him—at least in theory.

BANG!

A gunshot rang out.

The bullet grazed Amuro's shoulder. He had ducked just in time.

He snapped his head toward the source—

A tall, broad-shouldered man with a deep scar across his face was standing near the wreckage, a smoking pistol in his hand.

"Sharp little rat," the scar-faced man growled.

"...So you found me out, huh?" Amuro said, narrowing his eyes.

"You think your disguise was that good? I've had my eye on you for days."

"I see."

Amuro took off his mask, revealing his youthful face and smirked.

"Then I have to ask—how's it feel now? If you'd outed me sooner, maybe your bosses wouldn't have lost half their compound."

The scarred man's expression darkened.

He had known Amuro was suspicious. But he'd waited—thinking he could uncover the entire network. In doing so, he'd underestimated just how ruthless their opponents could be.

"Don't get cocky. You're not getting out of here alive."

Amuro tensed. This man was no ordinary grunt—and Amuro was deep in enemy territory. Backup could arrive at any moment.

Rustle...

"Mr. Bourbon, are you in the middle of a confrontation?"

A voice—unfamiliar, cold, emotionless—echoed through his earpiece.

"Just a suggestion. Take exactly three steps back."

"Or not. Your choice."

"Time's ticking. Five... Four... Three..."

Something primal tightened in Amuro's spine. He didn't know how, but he trusted his instincts.

He observed the scarred man, whose finger had begun to squeeze the trigger—

Click.

A faint sound above.

Both men looked up.

A massive slab of concrete broke loose and came crashing down—right where the scarred man stood.

"Tch—!"

The man jumped back instinctively. Amuro reached for his own weapon, but more debris rained down. He had no choice but to retreat.

"One... Zero—"

BOOM!!!

A concrete wall thundered to the ground inches in front of Amuro. The dust was blinding.

When he looked again—

The scarred man was gone.

Crushed, maybe. Or escaped.

Amuro didn't care. He bolted for a vehicle.

Meanwhile...

Vermouth was racing through the city's highway system.

Her grip on the wheel was tight, eyes darting between lanes as bullets whistled past.

"Too many," she hissed. "Chianti has pulled away, and I've got no firepower left."

She dropped another bomb behind her—boom!—hoping to delay the killers gaining on her.

And then—

Whup-whup-whup...

The unmistakable sound of rotor blades.

A gray helicopter approached from ahead.

"Speed?"

The same emotionless voice from before.

"153km."

"Lower to 120. Rightmost lane."

"...You serious?"

Vermouth gritted her teeth. From behind, cars approached rapidly. From ahead, the chopper's chain gun swiveled toward her.

DADADADADA!!

Bullets riddled the road.

Vermouth swerved—hard right. Rubber shrieked.

"Lower to 100."

"You have seven seconds. Seven... six... five..."

What the hell is Cointreau playing at?

But she followed the countdown.

As the chain gun began to spin—

BOOM!!!

A van behind her exploded. A tire, on fire, flew like a comet into the air.

It smashed into the helicopter's nose.

Screech!

The Apache dipped. Gunfire raked the side of the road just beside Vermouth.

"Two... One... Zero—"

CRASH!!!

The enemy chopper hit a billboard—blades snapping, metal twisting—before sliding to the ground and exploding in a fireball.

Vermouth gripped the wheel, stunned.

What... just happened?

The timing, the explosions, the debris... every detail had aligned.

Coincidence...?

No. It was too precise. It was... calculated.

Elsewhere—

BANG! BANG!

Tequila slammed the wheel left. The Hummer smashed into a sedan trying to cut them off.

In the back seat, Ireland was still firing like a madman.

"This is insane!" he yelled. "I'm going numb from the shooting!"

He leaned out to fire again—

Crack!

A bullet grazed his arm. His gun fell.

"Damn it—!"

"Got it!" Tequila shouted, having just received orders.

He jerked the Hummer into the right lane.

"Speed: 147."

"In eleven seconds, enter the oncoming lane. Stay in the second left lane."

"Eleven... ten... nine..."

Tequila's focus narrowed.

When the countdown hit one, he swerved hard.

The Hummer hurtled into the opposite lane—honks and screams erupting as traffic parted like the Red Sea.

A massive truck came at them head-on—Tequila barely dodged.

"Keep speed. Change lanes in five seconds."

Overhead, Chianti adjusted her sniper rifle.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three perfect shots.

The tanker truck's tire exploded. It tipped—

"NOW!!"

Tequila changed lanes again—just in time to slip past the collapsing truck.

KABOOM!!!

The tanker exploded.

The shockwave lifted the Hummer into the air.

Behind them, enemy vehicles were swallowed in flames.

Ireland stared out the back window—eyes wide.

Above Osaka Port, in a hovering chopper—

Hayashi Yoshiki removed his headset. He turned to Gin.

"Mission accomplished."

 

Chapter 182 - 182: Gin — “Stop at the Pharmacy in Front”

In the dark of night, an armed helicopter tilted its fuselage and circled the towering buildings like a bird of prey.

Gin locked onto the fleeing enemy aircraft using the night vision targeting system, his gloved finger tightening on the trigger.

The missiles mounted beneath the helicopter's stub wings ignited instantly, streaking through the air with blazing trails.

Boom!!!

Watching the flames erupt and the enemy aircraft spiral downward, Gin's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Mission accomplished."

At that moment, Hayashi Yoshiki calmly removed his communication headset, his dark eyes meeting Gin's.

"Then let's retreat."

Gin didn't hesitate.

He pressed his earpiece, confirmed the status of the team, and coldly ordered Vodka:

"Withdraw."

The Osaka prefectural authorities were in a state of chaos.

The confrontation between the two organizations had unfolded in public view, even involving armed helicopters—this wasn't just a criminal incident; it looked like an all-out terrorist clash.

While Gin had been busy with aerial fire support, he'd left tactical coordination to Hayashi Yoshiki. Curious to assess the full scope of the operation, he gave the order to retrieve combat footage from each operative.

Thanks to GPS trackers embedded in the agents' comms (with the exception of Bourbon, who had been deep undercover), it was easy to compile each operative's video logs.

The logistics team got to work immediately.

Meanwhile, Vodka expertly piloted the Apache to a landing site behind a remote hillside. The rotor blades gradually slowed, their roar fading as the aircraft touched down.

"So damn noisy…" Hayashi muttered as he stepped out, tie fluttering in the mountain breeze.

"That's how it is with these birds," Vodka replied. He nearly offered a hand to steady him—but caught himself. Too subservient.

"Can we drive out now?"

"Go."

As Vodka checked with Hayashi, Gin had already descended and made for the passenger seat of a waiting vehicle. Hayashi followed and climbed into the back.

Moments later, the car was rolling along the dark highway. In the rearview mirror, Hayashi watched as Gin pulled a small remote from his coat and pressed it.

Boom!

The abandoned helicopter exploded into flaming debris behind them.

A disposable asset.

"The Osaka police will comb the entire region for that bird."

Watching the distant fireball in the mirror, Gin didn't look the slightest bit concerned. In fact, he chuckled.

"There's radar interference support, but I'm not in the mood for hide-and-seek with those hyenas."

Besides—without useful remains to analyze, the authorities would likely redirect their attention.

Compared to the covert trail left by the Black Organization, the enemy—that whimsical syndicate—had left an entire office building full of damning evidence: gunrunning, human trafficking, contraband, and murder. A buffet of crimes for investigators.

Hayashi didn't respond.

Vodka kept driving. On Gin's lap, the laptop pinged—video retrieval was complete.

Excluding Bourbon's, whose footage was unavailable due to his location, the logs of Tequila, Chianti, and Vermouth were ready. Each was linked to Hayashi's real-time battlefield coordination.

The first clip showed Tequila darting into oncoming traffic at Cointreau's command, maintaining a speed of exactly 147 km/h.

Chianti's sniper round struck the tanker truck's wheel at precisely the right moment. The vehicle tipped—and thanks to Hayashi's countdown and instruction to change lanes, Tequila's Hummer barely avoided being crushed and incinerated.

It wasn't luck. It wasn't even an improvised accident-based assassination.

It was a calculation.

Gin's brow furrowed.

Understandable, maybe… but to this degree? That was unsettling.

Then came the video from Vermouth's escape route.

As the scene played, Gin's eyes slowly widened under the brim of his hat.

A flying tire—dislodged in a chaotic multi-vehicle crash—struck an enemy helicopter. The impact altered the aircraft's trajectory, causing it to veer directly into a billboard support structure.

Result? Total detonation.

Gin paused. Rewound. Slowed the footage.

Frame by frame.

The smile on his face became jagged, sinister, wolf-like.

"Unbelievable…" he murmured. "Unfathomable."

Next to him, Vodka shivered.

He reached out discreetly and turned up the heat in the car.

Gin barely noticed. He played the clip again. Still no answer.

He finally looked up, about to ask how Hayashi had pulled it off.

But Hayashi Yoshiki sat with his elbow resting on the window, fingers pressed to his temple, eyes closed in apparent rest.

Gin held back.

He looked just like he had after the last operation… utterly drained.

After a few more silent minutes, Gin spoke again:

"Stop at the pharmacy ahead."

"Eh? Brother, are you hurt?"

Vodka was confused but obediently pulled over.

"Buy some glucose."

"Huh? Ah—yes, understood!"

Vodka scrambled inside. A few minutes later, he returned with a small bag, holding out an oral glucose supplement and some packaged bottles.

"The clerk also recommended fish oil. Said it's good for the brain, heh."

"Yeah." Gin's reply was noncommittal.

"Cointreau… would you like one?"

Hayashi's dark eyes slowly opened.

He glanced at the glucose in Vodka's hand, then at Gin in the front passenger seat.

"I drank it."

Gin answered for him, expression unreadable under his hat.

With a slight nod, Hayashi reached out and took the glucose.

 

 

Chapter 183 - 183: Cointreau! What Happened!?

"Hello? It's me."

"We're heading to the safe house now."

"Remember, don't bring Calvados."

"That's it."

The black sedan was speeding down the street as Gin ended the call.

He could already foresee that after this operation, that woman Vermouth would grow increasingly interested in Cointreau. In that case, there was no need for Calvados to see Cointreau's true face—that idiot never kept secrets from Vermouth anyway.

Even after the mission report was submitted, Rum himself had a good chance of becoming interested in Cointreau.

Glancing at the contact list on his phone, Gin let out a cold snort.

—Though Rum may be the second-in-command, Gin only obeyed one man: Karasuma Renya.

Still, Cointreau's ability truly shone in the realm of intelligence coordination. If he had access to sufficient intel and a full team to work with, Cointreau would become a horrifyingly efficient weapon of assassination.

…

Imagining the implications, Gin gave a sidelong glance at Hayashi Yoshiki—Cointreau—resting in the backseat.

But the real issue now... was Cointreau's mental state.

If Cointreau could cause this much chaos operating nearly alone, Gin shuddered to think what would happen if the man had unlimited organizational support.

"Almost there, bro."

"Wake up Cointreau."

"Got it..."

Vodka had been driving like a chauffeur on best behavior—smooth braking at red lights, steady turns, no jolts at all. With his practiced driving and the car's premium suspension, it was like gliding.

As they stopped outside the safe house, Vodka got out and opened the door for Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Wake up, Cointreau."

"…Did I fall asleep?"

"It's really late now."

Hayashi Yoshiki stepped out, following Gin into the safe house.

Inside, the rest of the crew had already arrived.

Chianti, who had clearly enjoyed the night's chaos, was lounging with a bottle in each hand, nodding to loud rock music.

"Here he is, bro!"

Tequila laughed, slapping the table as he stood up.

Across the room, Ireland—having a wound on his arm tended to by Cohen—looked up to study Hayashi Yoshiki, who entered quietly in a tailored black suit, his long black hair combed back and dark eyes sharp.

This wasn't someone from Tequila's world.

Still, Tequila was practically glowing with admiration, calling Cointreau "brother" with excessive warmth.

Ireland, a loyalist brought into the organization by Pisco, had never liked Gin much (especially after Pisco's death). But after escaping pursuit thanks to Hayashi Yoshiki's guidance, even Ireland had to admit the man's ability.

"When I heard your voice giving those retreat commands, I felt invincible! It was insane!"

Tequila had even cracked open a tequila bomb—something he'd been guarding earlier like gold.

Chianti growled, "That's also thanks to me! If I hadn't hit those three shots, you and Ireland might be fertilizer by now!"

"Bull! You weren't the only one with a gun."

"What did you say!?"

"Shut up," Gin cut in coldly.

He turned to Hayashi Yoshiki. "If you're tired, go sleep. The room's inside."

"Thanks. Good night, everyone."

Hayashi Yoshiki offered a light smile and headed into the room to rest.

The others returned to their conversations.

Gin walked over to the minibar, poured himself a drink, and checked his phone.

As expected, Vermouth had sent him a message, vaguely asking about Cointreau.

He ignored it.

Moments later, Chianti headed off to the bathroom.

The room went quieter without her shouting.

Then, about ten minutes later, she emerged—and unusually, she didn't make a sound. She simply wandered toward Hayashi Yoshiki's door.

Hehehe~

She grinned slyly.

Tonight's a good night for a hunt.

She crept toward the room.

I'll crawl into his bed. Whether he resists or not, I'll have my way!

Drunk and brimming with bravado, Chianti reached for the doorknob.

Click.

It didn't open.

Did he lock it?

She immediately scowled.

The hell!? You actually lock the safe house room? Don't you trust us at all!?

She nearly pulled her gun to blast the lock off...

But Gin's cold voice cut through the room.

"What do you want, Chianti?"

Startled, she snapped back—

"Cointreau! What's wrong with you!?"

The woman looked furious.

And everyone else froze mid-sip.

 

 

Chapter 184 - 184: I Would Be Embarrassed in Front of Everyone

In the dimly lit room, a blonde beauty wrapped only in a white bath towel walked up to the computer.

"Really? You didn't regroup with them after the retreat?"

"Okay."

"Got it."

After hanging up the phone, Vermouth sat down and opened her inbox. As expected, several new unread messages had arrived overnight.

With a flick of her mouse, she clicked open the latest email.

Inside were multiple video files—mission footage of the new member, Cointreau. She had retrieved them herself, directly accessing the database using her high-level clearance in the organization.

Though these files were highly classified, Vermouth had the authority to bypass most restrictions. Still, the act of accessing intel at this level left a visible trace—something Gin was sure to notice.

To be honest, this was the first time Vermouth had ever seen Gin "care" so much about someone.

Not only had he personally overseen the protection of Cointreau's identity, but he'd even gone so far as to exclude Calvados, fearing the man might unintentionally leak details to her. She knew full well that Chianti and the rest were holed up in a safe house—and only Calvados thought they had gone into hiding.

She opened the videos in chronological order.

—It began with an "accident" at the Beika Aquarium.

As she watched, Vermouth frowned slightly.

Next video: a car loses control on a highway and is crushed by a rolling steel coil.

She kept watching.

Accident.

Accident.

Accident.

Every single one was an accident.

Not a single frame showed Cointreau's face—only mission targets dying one after another in bizarre, seemingly unrelated incidents.

And the further she watched, the more unbelievable it became.

Especially the highway incident during their last mission: multiple cascading traffic accidents perfectly timed, allowing the team to retreat with barely any effort.

Such precise calculations.

Staring at the repeating scenes on her screen, Vermouth's eyes narrowed.

The timing, the location, and even the reaction patterns of the people involved had all been anticipated and manipulated. The targets were mere props in a screenplay authored by someone else.

Cointreau was terrifying.

No wonder Gin kept such a close eye on him.

This man… needed to be watched very, very closely.

When Hayashi Yoshiki awoke, it was already past ten.

He showered before stepping out of the room. When he entered the safe house's main area, he found everyone still gathered in the living room.

"Good morning, everyone."

He greeted them lightly.

Ireland, still sporting a bandage from the night before, blinked.

That smile—so gentle, so sunny—it felt completely disconnected from the eerie genius he'd witnessed last night. Especially with his long black hair now untied, Hayashi Yoshiki's entire aura felt almost angelic.

Split personality? Ireland wondered.

"Morning, Cointreau," Vodka greeted him first.

"Good morning," Hayashi responded again with a nod.

"Come on, breakfast's ready," Tequila added, pointing to a pile of McDonald's bags on the table.

Hayashi Yoshiki walked over, took a sandwich from a wrapper, and sat down casually.

"Brother, the website's still not fully restored."

Vodka, munching on a pork-and-egg McMuffin, grinned as he glanced at the browser on his laptop.

"Tch."

Gin, who had just finished his own burger, crumpled the wrapper in his hand and let out a cold snort.

Hayashi glanced at the screen. He knew immediately they were talking about the Zoo's killer platform.

The data center they'd destroyed was a central hub for Asia. Its physical servers were enormous and cumbersome—primitive by today's standards. Their destruction had wreaked havoc on the entire system.

Hayashi knew how it worked. He'd used the platform under the alias Kira before.

When a job was completed, the money wasn't deposited directly to a bank—it went into a website wallet, withdrawable via various masked methods. Many assassins kept their savings stored there for the sake of anonymity and convenience.

But now… much of that data was gone.

"Oh... they put out a notice," Vodka said with a mocking tone. "'Data under maintenance. We'll restore services soon.' Heh."

Gin didn't believe the entire platform would collapse, but the loss of credibility, plus the exposure of their arms smuggling and trafficking operations, would deal a massive blow to their organization.

For now, business would be severely disrupted.

Hayashi Yoshiki remained unbothered, sipping his drink, until he noticed Chianti storming toward him with a bitter look.

"Good morning, Chianti."

"I'M NOT GOOD!"

"...?"

"Why do you lock your room at night like that? Don't you trust us or something?!"

"…"

After a beat, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled softly.

"So... were you planning to sneak into my room last night?"

"...Yes."

"I would've been embarrassed in front of everyone."

"Oh... Oh~!"

Chianti's tone suddenly turned coy.

Wait... does that mean it's not that he didn't want me? It's just that he didn't want to do it in front of everyone?!

He's so reserved... so refined...

As Chianti stood there, flushed and dazed, Hayashi Yoshiki turned to Gin.

"When can we leave?"

"Don't rush it."

Gin was currently coordinating with his subordinates. He had recently noticed that Cointreau frequently used billboards and signage to facilitate "accidents," so he was now ordering teams to investigate the possibility of placing more structures like those in key city locations.

Additionally, Vermouth's recent inquiry into Cointreau's data had annoyed him to no end.

"Then... is it okay if I go get my hair trimmed?"

Hayashi ran a hand through his long black hair, twirling the ends thoughtfully.

Gin, distracted with his phone, glanced at his own reflection—his silver hair was starting to look wild.

"…Let's go together."

After all, his flowing silver locks required maintenance too.

"Okay," Hayashi Yoshiki nodded with a smile.

 

 

Chapter 185 - 185: Invitation

"Ah, it's so nostalgic to be back at the office after so long."

The day after Hayashi Yoshiki returned from Osaka, Amuro Tōru showed up at the detective agency.

This handsome man with sun-kissed skin wore a bright, refreshing smile. You'd never guess that he'd just wrapped up a high-risk undercover mission.

"Good thing you came back today," Hayashi said, returning the smile.

"Oh? Why's that?"

"I've been out of town for a few days—just got back to Beika last night. And now my inbox is overflowing, and my phone's full of messages. It's giving me a headache."

"Please leave it to me," Amuro replied warmly. "But wait, didn't the boss also go out?"

"Yeah. Took a case in Gunma Prefecture. I brought you back a little souvenir."

"Ah, thanks!"

Amuro accepted the gift happily. Then, Hayashi Yoshiki grabbed his keys and slipped out alone.

Amuro, now left to himself, calmly began tackling the backlog of work in the office. Compared to undercover infiltration, these mundane tasks were almost relaxing.

At this point, Amuro Tōru had no idea who Hayashi Yoshiki really was.

He hadn't been part of the internal chain of command during the Osaka operation, unlike Vermouth, who had full access to the mission's inner workings. All Amuro knew—from the cryptic audio instructions and his contact in the Red Team—was that someone new, and dangerous, had emerged within the Black Organization.

But lacking details, he didn't even know where to begin investigating.

For now, Amuro was more concerned with the aftermath of the Osaka operation.

After reviewing the evidence seized by the police, he found the company's inner workings increasingly alarming. The list of illegal activities was vast and highly organized.

Two high-ranking executives—whose names Amuro had personally forwarded—were captured during the investigation. But before they could be interrogated...

They were both shot in the head by snipers during transport.

Worse yet, one of the snipers took his own life when escape became impossible.

They're all just monsters hiding in the dark…

Amuro clenched his fist unconsciously. The more he uncovered, the deeper the darkness seemed to stretch.

Later that day, Hayashi Yoshiki arrived at the Mōri Detective Agency.

The souvenirs he'd had Asami purchase in Gunma needed to be handed out—after all, the more people believed he had been there, the less they'd associate him with the chaos in Osaka.

"Thanks, Yoshiki."

"Yunohana hot spring buns, huh?" said Mōri Kogorō, inspecting the label. "So you went to Ikaho Onsen? That's great. How was it?"

Hayashi smiled. "It was wonderful. Plenty of female tourists there."

"Really?" Mōri perked up immediately. "How was the quality? Did they have any mixed bathing?"

"There were plenty of young girls. As for mixed bathing… yeah, but I didn't go."

"Tch! Yoshiki, you're still young. You don't understand the true beauty of mixed bathing—"

"Dad!"

Ran, holding a rolled-up newspaper, slammed the table with a bang.

Kogorō flinched.

"Don't drag Yoshiki-nii into your weird fantasies!"

"Cough…" The middle-aged man cleared his throat and turned away with mock seriousness.

He grabbed the newspaper from Ran, but upon seeing the front page, his expression turned grim."This news—"

"Is it about Osaka?" Hayashi asked with a calm smile.

"How do you know?" Kogorō asked suspiciously.

"I heard from Heiji."

Conan, who had appeared from who-knows-where, held up a similar newspaper with a serious look in his eyes.

The terrorist incident in Osaka Port couldn't be buried.

Conan had already received a late-night call from Hattori Heiji, who—through his police connections—had uncovered disturbing inside intel. Even without conclusive proof, Conan's instincts screamed that the incident involved Gin and his faction.

What caught his attention even more was something Heiji mentioned:

Among the two groups of armed terrorists, one side kept getting "saved" by a string of bizarre coincidences—accidents that allowed them to escape pursuit.

Hattori's authority didn't let him dig deeper, but Conan couldn't let it go.

There was something behind all those "accidents."

"Why the serious face? Try one." Hayashi peeled open a steamed bun and handed it to Conan.

"Oh—thanks, Yoshiki-nii." Conan blinked, caught off guard.

"This is delicious!" Ran exclaimed after taking a bite. Her eyes lit up. "Did you really bring these from the hot springs?"

"Of course," Hayashi nodded. "Bought a few extras to give out."

The buns—onsen manju—were soft pastries filled with sweet bean paste, not the typical floury type. Hayashi had genuinely enjoyed them.

"Thanks, Yoshiki-nii."

Ran smiled, touched. She quickly put down her snack and went to boil water for tea.

Meanwhile, Kogorō turned on the TV.

As breaking news about the Osaka incident came up, Conan couldn't help but stare at the screen, eyes narrowing as he absorbed every detail.

Tea brewed, Ran returned with cups.

"Thanks for the trouble."

"It was nothing."

"Ran," Hayashi said softly, "Is there something you wanted to ask me?"

"Well... actually it's Sonoko. Ever since she heard you came back, she's been going on and on about what we talked about last time."

"You mean the beach trip?"

Hayashi chuckled. "I remembered. Let's go in a couple of days, whenever it's convenient."

"Really!?"

Ran clapped excitedly.

"But this time..." Hayashi paused "...can I bring the kid along?"

"You mean Ai-chan? Of course!" Ran smiled. "Sonoko won't mind at all."

Her radiant expression warmed the room.

Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but return the smile.

 

 

Chapter 186 - 186: You can act like a spoiled child to me even if you want to?

You could tell just by breathing—the sea was near.

The light, salty scent carried on the breeze, the moisture in the air… it was unmistakable.

"Alright, drop your bags, clean up, and get ready to head out."

"Okaaay~!"

After settling into the hotel, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled at the group behind him.

Sonoko was the first to cheerfully respond, grabbing Ran by the hand and dashing inside their room, while Haibara Ai followed at a much more relaxed pace.

"Is it really necessary to be this excited about the beach, Sonoko…?" Ran said with a sheepish smile.

Haibara gave Sonoko a flat stare.

For someone born into wealth, she sure got overexcited about simple things. Naïve, Haibara thought.

"What are you saying, Ran? You're the one who's slow on the uptake!" Sonoko teased.

"Huh?"

"Think about it. What's the first thing you change when you get to the beach?"

"Don't tell me..." Ran's voice trailed off.

"Swimsuit. Swimsuit, Ran! But not for us—for Hayashi Yoshiki." Sonoko grinned mischievously, pulling out a compact camera from her bag like it was a secret weapon. "Hehe, I came prepared."

"Honestly… Sonoko," Ran groaned.

"...Trying to seduce him with a swimsuit?" Haibara said dryly.

Sonoko blinked at her and then chuckled. "Wow, smart kid. But please, using a tactic that simple on Yoshiki-oniisan? That's too naïve."

Haibara narrowed her eyes. Does that mean he actually has a good body...?

In the other room,

Conan had already changed into his swim trunks. Watching Hayashi Yoshiki—who was now shirtless in beach attire and applying sunscreen—he couldn't help but tease:

"Are you really worried about getting tanned, Yoshiki?"

"It's not about the tan," Yoshiki replied with a soft chuckle. "Ultraviolet rays accelerate skin aging. Best to avoid them."

He offered the sunscreen to Conan. "Want some?"

"I'm good." Honestly, Conan thought, I'd be happy to age faster—like, overnight fast.

Yoshiki didn't comment further. He simply smiled and continued applying lotion, every bit the pragmatist he always was. His appearance was a tool, and he maintained it well.

Once ready, Yoshiki and Conan stepped out just in time to meet Ran, Sonoko, and Haibara Ai in the hallway.

The moment she saw him, Haibara's eyes widened just a little.

Wearing sea-blue swim trunks, an open white shirt, and radiating an effortless cool, Hayashi Yoshiki's well-toned physique perfectly embodied a quiet masculinity—like ice cream in the summer sun, refreshing and dangerous at once.

"Hey, your eyes are about to pop out," Conan whispered, nudging Haibara.

She flinched, then glared at him.

"Let's head to the beach," Yoshiki said with a smile.

"Coming, Yoshiki-nii!" Sonoko chirped.

The group made their way down the path, chatting and laughing along the way. Sonoko held her camera close like a precious artifact.

"Hey Sonoko," Ran whispered, "You didn't get a nosebleed this time."

"Wha—I'm not that perverted!" Sonoko pouted. "And stop teasing me!"

The beach at Izu stretched out before them, a perfect view of white sand and sparkling blue waves. Ran and Sonoko couldn't wait. They tossed off their sandals and waded into the shallows, giggling as the cold water splashed over their feet.

"This feels so good!" Ran said.

"Right? Perfect weather!" Sonoko beamed.

"Yoshiki-nii, come here quickly!"

"Okay." Yoshiki's smile never wavered. He turned to Haibara. "Coming? You've been looking forward to this, haven't you?"

"Who said that…?"

"If not, why'd you pick such a cute swimsuit?"

Cute? Haibara blinked. She wore a simple black one-piece—elegant, sleek, not flashy. But somehow, when Yoshiki said it like that...

He reached out, ruffled her hair lightly, and then took her hand.

Without warning, he started walking faster, pulling her along.

Their footprints—one large, one small—marked the sand behind them.

Conan followed at a slow pace, hands in his pockets. His gaze lingered on them. Haibara was… different with Hayashi Yoshiki, wasn't she?

That cold, guarded girl always acted oddly soft around him. Maybe…

She likes him?

Conan smirked. That wouldn't be so bad. Maybe it would motivate her to restore her body. And if she cracked the APTX solution, he might have a chance too.

"Did the Osaka incident… have anything to do with you?" Haibara asked, voice low.

"Why do you ask?"

"...Just a hunch," she muttered. "The kind of madness it takes to bomb a building and get away clean… that reeks of the Organization. And you said before that the brewing conflict was partly your fault."

Yoshiki gave a soft sigh.

"Smart kids who don't know how to act spoiled aren't very cute."

Haibara lowered her gaze. "I'm not asking out of curiosity. I just want you to be careful."

"Of course I will."

He squeezed her hand gently, then—without warning—ran forward, pulling her into the cold, foamy shallows.

"Alright now," he said, looking down at her with a smile. "Let the sea take your worries today."

He knelt a bit so their eyes were level.

"If you want," he added in a rare whisper, "you can even act spoiled around me today. Okay?"

"...Yoshiki."

He rarely called her "Ai-chan," but something about his tone made her chest tighten.

The sea breeze tangled in her bobbed brown hair, the sun warming her skin, the waves lapping at her knees… everything felt vividly, painfully real.

And all she could do was quietly squeeze his hand a little tighter.

 

Chapter 187 - 187: Are You Free and Have Nothing to Do?

"Hey, bro, could you help me apply sunscreen?"

"Sorry, not the best time for me."

After politely turning down yet another woman's approach, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled and walked toward the shallows.

Conan was already there, sitting contentedly with his arms propped behind him and his legs stretched out to greet the incoming tide.

The breeze was light and salty.

Yoshiki looked at him and chuckled."You've spread your legs so wide if a sea urchin comes floating in, it won't be pretty."

"What're the odds of that?"

"Well, there's one over there," Yoshiki replied, nodding slightly.

"—!!"

Conan turned his head, and sure enough, a spiky sea urchin bobbed nearby. He clamped his legs together and immediately got to his feet."Yeesh… you weren't kidding."

Yoshiki smiled again, amused, and walked past him.

Haibara Ai was reclined in a beach chair nearby, reading quietly under the sun. She had insisted that lying on the shore was just as much a part of "enjoying the beach" as anything else. Yoshiki didn't press her.

In the shallows, Ran and Sonoko were playing in slightly deeper water.

Well—more accurately, Sonoko was snapping photos of Ran nonstop, directing her like a passionate professional photographer. Ran, meanwhile, was turning redder by the moment.

"Yes! That's it! Hold that expression—"

"What expression?!"

"That shy and pure look—perfect! Don't pose. That's what I want!"

"…Sometimes, Sonoko, you're like an old man with a camera fetish."

"GUH—"

The comment pierced deep. Sonoko clutched her chest theatrically.

After a few more playful moments, Sonoko elbowed Ran."Okay. Now it's time to get a shot of Brother Yoshiki, right?"

"…Right now?"

"I just saw a bunch of girls chatting him up. I couldn't butt in, so I figured we'd ease into it. Hehe, once I get a few shots, I'll share them with you too, Ran."

"You're seriously weird sometimes, Sonoko."

"You don't want copies?"

"…I didn't say that."

The two giggled as they walked back toward the beach.

But when they got there—

"Huh? Where's Yoshiki-nii?"

"Ah, he stepped away to grab drinks," Conan replied lazily from his seat.

"Alright… then let's just wait here for now."

Just then, a voice called out from behind:

"Excuse me, ladies. Are you free right now?"

Ran and Sonoko turned toward the speaker—a handsome, well-dressed young man.

"Would you… like to join me for dinner later? My treat, of course."

Before either of them could reply, the man added, clearly trying to be more selective:

"Especially you, beautiful."

"...Me?" Sonoko blinked, genuinely surprised.

It was the first time she'd ever been approached before Ran. It caught her completely off guard.

—But to be fair, with her hair down and no headband, Sonoko looked stunning.

"T-Thank you?" she stammered reflexively.

The man's face lit up at her response. But then—

"I'm sorry, but we have something important to do."

Sonoko raised the camera she'd been clutching.

Just then, she noticed Hayashi Yoshiki returning with two cold drinks.

"Ah! Yoshiki-nii!" she called out quickly.

"Mm? Who's this?" Yoshiki asked, glancing at the unfamiliar man.

"He came over and tried to chat up Ran and Sonoko," Conan reported casually.

"I see."Yoshiki smiled and looked directly at the man."Do you mind if I ask your name?"

"Ah… Michiwaki Masahiko," he answered, a little hesitant now.

"Thanks. Well then, Mr. Michiwaki—let's play together some other time if the opportunity arises."

"…Yeah. Sure."

Taking the easy out, the man nodded and quickly excused himself.

Once he was gone, Yoshiki handed the drinks to Ran and Sonoko.

Conan, still watching the man's retreating figure, frowned a little."Still strange to see Sonoko get hit on…"

"What's so strange about that?" Yoshiki asked, bemused.

He raised his phone and—without warning—snapped a picture of Sonoko mid-reaction.

"H-Huh?!"

With a sly grin, Yoshiki sent the photo to Gin.

A few seconds later—

Gin: Are you free and have nothing to do?

In a dark alley, Gin silently lowered the smoking muzzle of his pistol from the lifeless corpse in front of him.

He looked at the photo on his phone, narrowed his eyes, and seriously considered putting another round in the body.

This bastard Cointreau again…

At first, Gin had mistakenly thought the photos were of Sherry, and he'd actually taken them seriously. Now?

He barely glanced at them before deleting them.

Was this Cointreau's way of telling him he was bored and wanted a new mission?

Possibly.

Gin sighed. After the Osaka incident, his bounty on the killer platform had doubled. The corpse at his feet was yet another hired gun looking to cash in.

Even the fun in killing was starting to fade.

Back on the beach, Yoshiki casually slipped his phone away.

"You two really need to be careful. Don't just let a smooth line scare off someone shady."

"Yes, Jiashu-brother."

"We really were turning him down, you know."

"Glad to hear it."Then, looking at the camera:"Sonoko, you wanted a picture?"

"Y-Yes!" Sonoko perked up.

Yoshiki smiled. "Go ahead."

As the girls excitedly fumbled with the camera, Yoshiki glanced toward the edge of the beach.

A familiar gaze was fixed in their direction.

Kyogoku Makoto.

The legendary karate champion, and Sonoko's silent protector.

Ah, Yoshiki thought, so you were here.

He had bought the drinks earlier partly to test that hypothesis—and it seemed he'd been right.

 

 

Chapter 188 - 188: Isn’t Ai Cute?

That place is like heaven.

The sky is clear and blue.

The sunshine that shines down is also warm and comfortable.

Time flows slowly and steadily.

Here, all you can hear is the sound of waves crashing and receding on the beautiful beach.

"Please enjoy the Coke you asked for."

A little later, the group, who were a bit tired from playing, decided to eat something at a small shop by the sea.

The dish was brought by a young man with slightly tanned skin.

He slammed the cup heavily in front of Hayashi Yoshiki.

The force of the impact made everything on the table jump, interrupting the two girls who had been chatting animatedly... They subconsciously looked at the young man in front of them, but before they could say anything, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled and said:

"Excuse me, do you have any problem with me?"

"No." Kyogoku Makoto answered in a somewhat cold tone.

"Yeah?"

But Hayashi Yoshiki still looked at him.

"Since we sat down in the store fifteen minutes ago, I noticed your eyes landed on me at least forty-six times, which made me feel a little uneasy... And when you were serving food to other customers just now, your tone and attitude were also very calm."

…

Kyogoku was genuinely startled.

He looked at Hayashi Yoshiki's face and hadn't expected the other party to be so perceptive.

But caught so directly, he could only answer in a serious tone:

"I'm sorry."

Hayashi Yoshiki said nothing more.

Seeing Kyogoku Makoto leave, the people at the table looked at each other in bewilderment. Sonoko couldn't help but mutter:

"What's wrong with that guy? He's too weird, isn't he?"

"Brother Yoshiki, do you know that person?" asked Ran, wondering if there was any conflict between the two.

Conan and Ai also seemed a little concerned.

"He and I don't know each other, but I do know his identity."

"Who is it?"

"Kyogoku Makoto. The All-Japan Karate Champion. If that's the case, Ran should have an impression of him, right?"

"It's him!"

Ran immediately covered her mouth in surprise.

As a karate practitioner herself, Kyogoku Makoto's existence was like a mountain she looked up to. She had heard of his name many times. No wonder he seemed familiar just now.

"So why was he so hostile to Brother Yoshiki?" Sonoko still looked displeased.

"Isn't it obvious?"

Hayashi Yoshiki picked up the Coke he ordered and smiled.

"Since I don't know him and we haven't had any conflict, the only possibility is... it's because of you two."

"Because…"

"Us?"

The two girls looked at each other.

Haibara Ai glanced at them. They seemed a little confused, so the corners of her calm mouth lifted slightly:

"It's just that when you see the girl you like getting along with another outstanding man, you can't help but feel that the guy is very annoying and hostile."

"That's it."

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled again.

Hearing that, Sonoko laughed and nudged Ran.

"As expected of you, Ran~ Could it be that the karate champion has taken a secret liking to you?"

She assumed Kyogoku Makoto liked Ran. After all, everywhere they went, it was Ran who drew attention. Not to mention both of them practiced karate.

Even Conan thought the same. Holding his drink, he gloomily stared at Kyogoku Makoto's departing back — Why does everyone always look at Ran as soon as I become small...?

Hayashi Yoshiki didn't bother correcting the misunderstanding.

He reached out and gently rubbed Ai's head.

Seeing this, Sonoko, who was just teasing Ran, suddenly asked curiously:

"Why do you always take care of this kid? Ah… don't get me wrong, I'm just curious. You and Ai-chan don't seem to be relatives, right?"

"Because Ai is very cute, isn't she?"

…

When being patted on the head and praised as cute, Haibara Ai didn't look up. She just bit at her straw as if she hadn't heard anything.

"But mainly, I feel like she doesn't really fit in with other kids, so I'm a little worried. Maybe if she gets to play more often, she'll open up a bit. That's all."

"That doesn't really make sense..." Ai murmured softly, lowering her head.

She didn't quite understand.

Why was Hayashi Yoshiki always encouraging her to smile more and let go of her darker thoughts?

Haibara Ai already felt content with her current life.

Her sister was still alive. She could wake up in a warm bed every morning...

But Cointreau, the one who helped give her this life, still seemed unsatisfied — he still wanted her to be happier...

Being cared for like that without reason made Ai feel a little overwhelmed. But now she had neither the status nor the right to refuse his kindness. All she could do was feel the warmth and quietly accept it.

It made her feel like she could never repay him.

"Brother Yoshiki, you're really gentle." Ran said, her eyes lighting up.

"You two shouldn't assume a guy is gentle just because he acts that way."

"Why?"

"Why?"

Hayashi Yoshiki just smiled without answering directly.

Gentleness is the easiest emotion to fake. At the end of the day, it just takes a little patience.

So far, Hayashi Yoshiki had only felt true gentleness from three people:

Eri Kisaki, who treated him like her own son

Ran, when she lost her memory and showed pure, heartfelt warmth

Okino Yoko, who was always devoted to him

"Hey, did you hear? They found another one today in the woods by the track!"

"What?!"

From the side, some men began talking.

One was drinking beer and lounging at the doorway. The other, a middle-aged man with a beer belly, looked pale.

"It's a corpse! This time, it was another brown-haired girl! Just like a year ago!"

"One year ago...? Could it be—?"

"Yeah, a bunch of people saw it! The police are there now!"

Hearing this, Conan suddenly stood up.

He ran toward the woods the man mentioned. Ran called out to him several times, but he didn't stop.

"Seriously? Why is he always so curious?" Ran muttered, standing as well.

"Let's go check it out," said Hayashi Yoshiki, also getting up."We can't just let a kid run around a crime scene alone."

 

Chapter 189 - 189: Kyogoku Makoto's Inquiry

"The deceased was stabbed in the abdomen with a sharp knife, which is the same as the situation a year ago."

"The deceased was a tourist."

"The estimated time of death was between 8 and 9 last night, which was when the fireworks display ended."

The area in the woods where the body was found had already been cordoned off by the police.

Outside the line were a large number of local residents and tourists murmuring among themselves.

Just from the locals' chatter, everyone quickly picked up the story — a year ago, a brown-haired girl had also been found dead, stabbed in the abdomen. Due to the lack of witnesses, the case had remained unsolved.

Now, a year later, most had forgotten about it — until today.

"How terrible…"

"They say the murderer specifically targets brown-haired girls. My hair is brown too…"

Standing on the edge of the crowd, Sonoko found herself oddly uncomfortable.

People were talking about her appearance — some even glanced at her with concern.

"It's okay."

Hayashi Yoshiki reassured her with a gentle smile.

"I'm right here. And you've got Ran with you, Sonoko. Even if a criminal showed up, I'm sure he'd be easily subdued."

"Yes! If a criminal really appears, I'll take them down myself!" Ran added playfully, trying to lift the mood.

The comment did give Sonoko a little comfort.

Meanwhile, Haibara Ai was quietly curling a strand of her hair.

She glanced around — and soon spotted Conan, walking back with a heavy expression.

"Brother Yoshiki, why don't you go say hi to that police officer?" Ran asked.

Since they were in Izu, the investigation wasn't under Inspector Megure. Instead, the officer in charge was Yokomizo Sango.

"He seems really busy. Let's wait until we have something concrete to contribute."

Shortly after, the police called a vehicle to transport the body out of the forest.

With nothing else to see, the crowd quickly dispersed.

With the mood soured, the group decided to return to the hotel.

Back in his room, Hayashi Yoshiki opened his notebook and jotted down a name:

[Michiwaki Masahiko]

He wasn't sure whether the man would continue bothering Sonoko after the earlier encounter. But the Fudou Kyousuke case had taught him a valuable lesson: Sonoko was a kind person, and he didn't want her facing unnecessary danger.

At that moment, a message arrived on his other phone.

Glancing briefly at Conan, who stood nearby, he stepped out of the room with a smile.

Gin: "The mission target has been sent to your email."

It seemed Gin had finally found time to assign a new target.

There were also several unread messages from Chianti — that unhinged woman had been messaging him ever since her unsolicited "enlightenment." Hayashi Yoshiki had no intention of replying.

Besides...

He checked another phone.

Shimizu Reiko: "Mr. Hayashi, another mission's available~"

"There's more…"

Shimizu Reiko: "[Picture.jpg]"

Shimizu Reiko: "[Picture.jpg]"

Two selfies.

In the background: a bathroom. In the foreground: a woman with an exceptional figure sitting at the edge of a bathtub. The first photo was from a top-down angle — practically photo-realistic in how revealing it was.

The second was taken from behind. Under the soft light, her fair, sculpted curves shimmered with a sensual glow.

Hayashi Yoshiki did not reply.

After a long downtime, the Zoo's Killer Platform had finally been restored, and the data was intact. Still, after the public chaos, it seemed many clients had withdrawn their funds. The long-term consequences remained unclear.

He also noticed that Gin's bounty had risen to 15 million dollars.

Just then — footsteps.

He turned. It was Kyogoku Makoto, approaching with a serious expression.

"What's the matter?"

"I know you, Hayashi Yoshiki."

"Ah. Well, I did check in under my real name."

...

What Kyogoku really wanted to say was: I know who you are. The detective. The novelist.

Those two identities alone were more well-known than Kyogoku's own as a national karate champion. And then there was that face…

Just by looking at him, Kyogoku felt like his odds weren't great. Still, he gathered his courage and asked:

"Are you... sincere toward that girl?"

"Which girl are you talking about?"

"The brown-haired girl. Her name's Sonoko."

"...So you like her?"

"Please answer my question."

His intentions were exposed — and even though it was he who brought them up, Kyogoku Makoto couldn't help the flush rising on his sun-darkened face.

Hayashi Yoshiki found himself genuinely liking this kind of person — someone who just said what they felt.

Kyogoku Makoto...

A man who could dodge rifle bullets, crush stone pillars with his bare hands, and catch BB pellets fired by eleven people simultaneously — even Gin wouldn't survive a full-on fight with him unless he went all-in with his life.

"Before I answer... can you tell me who's stronger, you or Satoshi Maeda?"

"No."

Kyogoku answered seriously.

Satoshi Maeda, the previous karate champion, was the one who had inspired Mouri Ran to take up karate.

"I've watched his matches. He's strong. But I'm confident I can win."

"I see." Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled.

"As for your question... Sonoko is definitely a very cute girl. But what's the point of you asking? Would you back off based on my answer?"

"Shouldn't I?"

"If you were the kind of man who gives up that easily, you wouldn't be standing where you are today."

...

Kyogoku remained silent.

Hayashi Yoshiki was right. Even if he gave an answer that seemed favorable, Kyogoku wouldn't back off — not unless Sonoko herself told him she was in a relationship.

"So you... treat her—"

"Want to go for a walk with me?"

Hayashi Yoshiki cut in, calm as always.

After a pause, Kyogoku Makoto nodded.

 

 

Chapter 190 - 190: Hayashi Yoshiki is a Good Person

The place where Hayashi Yoshiki and his friends stayed was called [Wave Hotel], and there was a very dense forest just outside the property.

Following behind Yoshiki, Kyogoku Makoto remained unusually silent.

"It's really nice to be by the sea,"

Yoshiki walked ahead, head slightly raised, enjoying the cool sea breeze filtering through the trees.

Kyogoku didn't respond.

It wasn't that he didn't want to — he just wasn't good at expressing himself. He wanted to say something but couldn't quite get the words out.

"Can I ask what's kept you so devoted to karate?"

Yoshiki turned with a smile, eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.

"...Love."

Kyogoku Makoto answered seriously.

"Karate is a part of my life. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll keep walking this path until the end."

The answer was firm and unwavering.

"Even if you become the strongest fighter in the world? Even if you've trained to your limit?"

"Yes. But I don't believe there is such a thing as a true limit to forging oneself."

"That's amazing."

Hearing this, Yoshiki nodded to himself.

Kyogoku was so powerful that he didn't need to be copied or compared. Yoshiki had great talent — he had always known that. He wasn't one to underestimate himself.

If he really wanted to, he could probably train to Kyogoku Makoto's level with extreme effort…But there was no point.

He had no passion for martial arts. It was inefficient. It consumed too much time.

After their short exchange, they walked in silence again. The sound of leaves rustling and the distant sea breeze filled the quiet.

Yoshiki glanced down at his watch.

"So…"

After walking for some distance, Kyogoku finally broke the silence.

"Does Sonoko like you?"

"Maybe.""I am fairly popular among girls… but I'm not dating any of them."

"But you know she likes you—"

Kyogoku's voice took on a harder edge.

He was a conservative, resolute man — the type who believed in doing right by people. His brow furrowed.

"Are you stringing her along?"

"Sonoko is a very good girl."Yoshiki's tone was calm.

Kyogoku was ready to say more, but then he noticed something.

Yoshiki's eyes… looked tired.

There was emotion behind them — a quiet weight. Regret. Fatigue. Even… guilt.

With a faint smile, Yoshiki finally said:

"I never meant to string anyone along… but I can't get too close to them. I might bring trouble. Or even danger."

"Trouble or danger?"Kyogoku was stunned."What do you mean?"

Yoshiki didn't answer. Instead, he smiled again.

"If you like someone… go after them.""Honestly, Kyogoku Makoto… I'm a little envious of you."

"What are you talking ab—"

A sudden scream cut through the woods.

A woman's voice.

Ahead of them, a brown-haired girl stumbled through the bushes, eyes wide with terror.

"Help! Please help me!"

Chasing right behind her — a young man wielding a knife, his face twisted in a murderous rage.

Kyogoku surged forward, but—

Hayashi Yoshiki moved first.

He bolted ahead like lightning, as if he'd expected this. In a split second, he slammed into the attacker — Michiwaki Masahiko — before the knife could reach the girl.

But the blade still fell. It slashed across Yoshiki's shoulder and sliced into his chest.

Bright, crimson blood immediately spilled from the wound.

"You—!"

Michiwaki recognized Yoshiki. His face contorted in anger — but before he could even react—

SWOOSH—!

A whip kick exploded across his face.

Kyogoku Makoto, now caught up, struck him like a bolt of steel.Michiwaki Masahiko flew backward like a ragdoll, slamming against a tree.

Bang!

He collapsed to the ground — unconscious.

"Are you alright, miss?"Kyogoku asked calmly.

"I… I…"

The woman was in shock. But before she could say anything else, her eyes darted to Yoshiki, who was smiling — even as blood streamed from his chest.

"You're bleeding!? Are you okay?! What happened!?"

Kyogoku stepped in, examining the injury.

"Fortunately, it's just a surface wound… but we need to stop the bleeding."

"Kyogoku, please secure him. If I'm not mistaken, he's the murderer who's been targeting brown-haired girls."

"Understood. Let's head back to the hotel. I saw a medical kit there."

After confirming Yoshiki's condition wasn't critical, Kyogoku hoisted the unconscious Michiwaki effortlessly over his shoulder.

The girl followed closely, worry written all over her face.

Kyogoku trailed behind them, silently watching Hayashi Yoshiki's back.

The white of his shirt was now dyed with dark red.

But even as he bled, Yoshiki was gently talking to the girl — trying to ease her fear, trying to make her feel safe.

He didn't even hesitate to jump in front of her…

And now he's comforting her, even while he's the one who's bleeding?

Kyogoku's thoughts raced.

There's no way someone like that is just playing around with girls. He's not the kind of man who toys with someone's feelings…

So what did he mean earlier? What kind of "danger" is he carrying?

By the time they returned to the hotel, Kyogoku was still lost in thought.

He tied Michiwaki Masahiko up with a rope, then rushed to find the first aid kit and help dress Yoshiki's wounds.

The noise drew immediate attention.

"Brother Yoshiki!?"

"Yoshiki-kun, what happened to you!?"

"Brother Yoshiki!?"

Ran and Sonoko were the first to arrive — both pale, both horrified at the sight of his wound.

Even Conan stepped forward, frowning.

"Don't worry. He's fine. Just a superficial cut," Kyogoku reassured as he opened the med kit.

"How can you say that!?" Sonoko snapped, her voice rising."He's bleeding so much!!"

...

"It just looks bad. It's not serious."

Yoshiki smiled.

"Actually, I should be thanking Kyogoku Makoto for today."

As Kyogoku remained silent, Hayashi Yoshiki gave him a warm, grateful look — one that spoke louder than any words.