It had been some time since the serial murder case began.
"Shinichi, where are you?"
"Solving a case."
"Didn't I tell you not to go out recklessly? Why are you back at a crime scene again?"
"As a detective, can I just ignore a case when I encounter one?"
"But that group is watching you. What if they find you?"
"Mom, don't be like Heiji. I know what I'm doing. Alright, I'm hanging up."
Listening to the busy tone, Yukiko hung up with a sigh, her heart heavy with worry. Shinichi is truly something else. He has no idea how many people are watching him from the shadows. What if he's discovered?
"Jeez, whatever. I'm done worrying."
Just then, Kazuha walked in from outside. "Yukiko, what are you done with?"
"Kazuha! Let's go shopping. The weather is so nice today, it's perfect for it." Yukiko's eyes lit up at the sight of her.
"I'm sorry, Yukiko," Kazuha said apologetically. "My teacher assigned me a case to study. I need to look over it seriously, so I can't go out to play with you."
"Teacher? Is high school life that demanding?" Yukiko asked, puzzled.
"No," Kazuha shook her head. "I'm studying law. Kisaki Eri is my teacher."
"Eri is your teacher?!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"Yukiko, what's wrong?" Kazuha looked at her curiously.
"Eri is my best friend. Come to think of it, we haven't seen each other in a long time." Yukiko's eyes filled with deep nostalgia.
"You know my teacher?" Kazuha looked at her in surprise.
"Mhm, Eri and I are great friends. This won't do; when I go back to Tokyo, I absolutely have to take her out for tea."
"Were you and my teacher classmates?"
"Of course. We graduated from Teitan High together."
Kazuha nodded, feeling a bit of admiration. Teitan High is incredible, producing both a world-famous star and an undefeated queen of the legal world.
"How about I ask Heiji to accompany you for a stroll around Osaka?"
"Heiji? No way. I'll just go by myself," Yukiko said, pouting.
Kazuha nodded helplessly.
The Hattori Residence
Heiji was drinking tea with Heizo Hattori.
"Heiji, any leads on the serial murder case?" Heizo asked.
Heiji looked up at his father and shook his head casually. "Their only commonality is that they all lived in Tokyo. It's most likely a regional murder spree."
"Is that so?" Heizo asked indifferently.
"What else would it be?" Heiji shrugged.
"Think more. Don't get lazy just because you've had a few successes."
Heiji's heart moved as he looked at Heizo. "It seems you have more leads, Father."
"Don't expect to get anything from me," Heizo said calmly.
"Fine, then I'll find it myself."
Heiji lowered his head to drink his tea, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. It looks like this serial murder incident is reaching its end.
"I'm heading out."
Heiji closed the door and walked toward his car.
On the Streets of Osaka
Yukiko walked alone, looking at the roadside with a speechless expression. "Why are there so few taxis in Osaka?"
Suddenly, a horn honked behind her.
"Yukiko, did Kazuha head out?"
"Heiji?" Yukiko's eyes lit up. "Meeting you is perfect."
Without another word, she ran to the side of the road and slid into the passenger seat. Once inside, she relaxed and gave Heiji a small smile. "Thanks, Heiji."
Heiji looked at her helplessly. "Didn't Kazuha go over to your place? Where is she?"
"Kazuha said she had to go to the library and left first," Yukiko said easily. "By the way, Heiji, Kazuha said you should show me around Osaka."
"Did she really say that?" Heiji looked at Yukiko skeptically.
Yukiko froze for a second, then glared at him. "What? You don't believe me?"
Heiji smiled faintly, shifted gears, and stepped on the accelerator.
----
"Wow! The view here is incredible. You can see almost the entire Osaka Prefecture." Yukiko stood at the edge, looking amazed.
From this height, all the buildings were clear, offering a panoramic view of the city.
"Heiji, is Yukiko with you?" Kazuha's voice came through the phone.
"What do you think?" Heiji looked at the distant architecture.
"Heh, since you're free anyway, just keep her company. I'm going to start reading now. Bye-bye, Heiji!"
Next, Sonoko's call came in. Half an hour later, Sato Miwako called.
"Mhm... Heiji, you took two calls in one hour. One was Sonoko, but the other definitely wasn't Kazuha. Who was it? Tell me, or I might just file a report with her."
Yukiko knew Kazuha and Sonoko were Heiji's girlfriends, but she didn't know about Sato Miwako yet.
"Do you really want to know?" A smirk hooked onto Heiji's lips.
Yukiko nodded fiercely. "I do!"
"Pity, I don't want to tell you."
Heiji walked quickly toward his car. Yukiko froze, gave him a hateful glare, and hurried to follow.
Shinsaibashi
"The takoyaki here is pretty good. We can head back after eating."
"Heading back so soon?" Yukiko was clearly unwilling.
"I've been wandering with you for two hours. I'm tired."
"I think you just don't want to accompany me anymore," Yukiko rolled her eyes. "Heiji is just like Shinichi—not cute at all."
The takoyaki shop was crowded. Heiji and Yukiko chose a seat near the back.
"Wow, this takoyaki is delicious!" Yukiko looked at the food in front of her, her eyes flashing with surprise.
"This is arguably the best takoyaki shop in Osaka," Heiji explained.
Heiji walked out with a satisfied Yukiko.
"I'm coming back to eat this tomorrow."
She had finished most of the two plates herself.
Heiji shrugged. "Since you know the way, you can come by yourself tomorrow."
"You won't drive me?"
Suddenly, a Bang! echoed. A nearby car's anti-theft alarm went off in a series of blares.
A person had fallen from a building above.
[C-Rank Mission Triggered: Frame the Black Organization for the crime.]
Heiji froze, looking at the corpse thoughtfully. System, you haven't shown up in a while, and now you're here to pit me again?
The system remained silent as usual.
"Heiji!"
Not far away, Officer Sakata shouted toward him.
"Looks like I won't have time to take you here to eat tomorrow," Heiji shrugged helplessly.
Yukiko frowned, looking at the corpse in the distance without saying a word.
"Officer Sakata, what's the situation?" Heiji walked over to him.
"This person was murdered." Sakata glanced at Yukiko following behind Heiji, then looked back at him seriously.
On the hood of a car, a man lay still, his eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost. A small knife was buried deep in his chest.