"Wow, this is so comfortable!"
Ayumi and the others shouted happily from the back seat.
So, it was a gift from President Suzuki.
Conan chuckled to himself. Still, giving Hattori such an expensive car proves how much he values him.
"So, where are you kids off to?" Heiji asked.
"The Beika Department Store!" the three kids yelled in unison.
"The Beika Department Store it is," Heiji nodded, stepping on the gas and speeding down the road.
Ai sat by the window, next to Ayumi. She had been silent since getting in the car.
Her cool, pretty eyes would occasionally drift toward Heiji, her expression complicated.
The Beika Department Store was one of Tokyo's largest shopping centers, combining shopping and amusement.
Its most striking feature was the giant Ferris wheel with 75 gondolas. Each gondola was strictly limited to four people.
"Heiji, should we go play first or get something to eat?" Ayumi asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Didn't you say you were treating us to a meal, Heiji?"
Conan, still feeling jealous, couldn't resist a jab. That damn Hattori. He got to see Ran in a swimsuit.
Heiji shot a glance at Conan that sent a shiver down the jealous boy's spine.
"Let's go for steak, then," Heiji said elegantly. "I'd be honored to be accompanied by two lovely ladies."
"Ladies?" Ayumi's face lit up. "Are you talking about me and Ai?"
"Of course."
"Oh, I'm so happy! Isn't this great, Ai?"
Ayumi jumped up and down, pulling Ai along with her.
Heh, this guy Hattori really knows how to handle kids. Conan thought with a smirk.
"And what's this little girl's name?" Heiji asked, smiling at Ai Haibara.
"I... I'm..."
Ai didn't know how to answer.
"Her name is Ai Haibara, and she's a really cool girl!" Ayumi announced proudly.
"Is that so? That's amazing."
Heiji suddenly reached out and gently patted Ai's head.
Oh no, Haibara's going to be angry.
Conan's face paled. He quickly turned his head away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.
"How is this possible?"
Conan stared in disbelief as Ai simply let Hattori pat her head, without a single trace of anger on her face.
"Conan, what did you say was impossible?" Ayumi asked curiously.
"N-nothing! I just said, 'Great, we're having steak!'"
Conan quickly covered his tracks, but his mind was in turmoil. What's wrong with Haibara? She's not really a child, so why would she let Hattori touch her like that?
Ai slightly turned her head away and walked off to the side, maintaining her cool distance.
Heiji just smiled. "Alright, let's go get that steak."
At the steakhouse.
Heiji and the kids were enjoying their meal.
"Heiji, what are you doing here?"
A pleasant, fragrant scent wafted over as Miwako Sato appeared beside their table.
"Miss Miwako, what are you doing here?"
Heiji was a bit surprised. Shouldn't the police be all over the city looking for the person who sent that fax bomb threat?
"That bomber... I'm going to catch that bomber myself."
A flash of sadness crossed Miwako Sato's eyes.
Heiji knew what she was sad about, but it didn't have much to do with him.
"Well then, you'll have to do your best, Miss Miwako."
Miwako Sato looked at Heiji, surprised. "Aren't you curious, Heiji?"
Heiji smiled faintly. "Some things are better left unknown, Miss Miwako. The more you know, the more you have to worry about. I may like solving mysteries, but I don't like trouble."
"I see..."
Sato looked a little disappointed. She had hoped Heiji might help her decipher the code in the fax.
"Um... Officer Sato, could you tell me the code? I can ask my uncle for help," Conan piped up, his interest piqued.
"Detective Mori?" Sato's eyes lit up. "Listen closely, Conan."
"I am a watchmaker. When the sun's shadow aligns, one minute after the clock strikes, the laughter in the fifteenth square will end in a blaze of brilliant fireworks. No time for repairs, no need for sorrow. Two hours later, the nearby Knights of the Round Table will arrive in a sea of blood. I will stand above the broken flow of people and watch you foolish, cunning police officers weep."
"What kind of warning is that? It's so weird," Ayumi said, confused.
Conan pinched his chin, deep in thought.
"Well, I'm counting on you, Conan. If Detective Mori figures anything out, give me a call."
Sato nodded at Heiji and then walked away.
"Earth to Conan."
Ai's sudden voice snapped everyone back to attention.
Heiji looked at Ai, then cut a piece of steak and placed it on her plate. "This is the best part of the steak. It's delicious."
"Wow, Heiji is so nice to Ai," Ayumi said with envy.
Ai paused, her cool eyes glancing at Heiji before she quietly ate the piece of meat.
[Haibara... this can't be happening!]
Conan was floored. What is wrong with her today? Is she really acting like a kid?
"Alright, once you're finished, it's time to go play."
"Yay!"
The group soon found themselves back at the giant Ferris wheel.
"We're going on!"
Since each gondola could only hold four people, Conan was dragged away by Ayumi and the others.
"Alright, let's just wait for them here."
Heiji didn't understand the system's mission, but if he had to protect Ai, something was bound to happen. A special B-rank mission was never easy.
"I want to ride the Ferris wheel."
Ai suddenly took off running toward the ride.
Heiji sighed and followed her.
"Welcome to gondola number 75. The time is now 11:55 AM. You will return in ten minutes. Enjoy your ride."
The Ferris wheel began to move.
Inside the gondola, it was just Heiji and Ai.
Ai sat quietly across from him, looking out the window, not saying a word.
The atmosphere was heavy and silent.
"Ai Haibara... Ai Haibara... it seems you still haven't moved on from that incident."
Ai whipped her head around, looking at Heiji in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Ai Haibara... 'Ai'... to mourn for deceased relatives. That name carries a chill that freezes the heart."
Heiji ignored her question and continued talking to himself.
Ai's pupils shrank. She stared at Heiji in shock. Brother-in-law... he must have figured it out. He must have recognized me. No, that's impossible. It's too absurd. No one would believe it.
"M-my parents gave me that name. It's none of your business."
She struggled to suppress the shock in her heart.
Heiji looked at her, his gaze sharp and piercing. Even Ai couldn't help but feel a shiver of fear.
"I'm sorry about Akemi. I don't know why you've become like this, but I will protect you."
[He knows. My brother-in-law knows everything. He knows.]
Ai sat frozen in place.
---
There are 120 advanced chapters on Patreon, which I'm currently rewriting and polishing for a better reading experience. Thank you for your support and patience.
https://www.patreon.com/c/LEYI396