"What? Another death? In Kyoto this time?"
"Understood. I'm heading there now. Inspector General Hattori of Osaka Prefectural Police is here with me. We'll go together."
The Kyoto Prefectural Police Inspector General hung up the phone and turned to see Hattori Heizo nodding at him.
On the other side, Commissioner Hakuba had also received the same report. The three exchanged glances and approached Fujiwara Yoshitaka.
"Committee Chairman, the serial killer responsible for the murders in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka has now struck in Kyoto. Another person has been killed, and our officers are investigating the scene."
"As the Inspector General of the Kyoto Prefectural Police, I need to head there immediately. Since the killer previously committed murder in Osaka, Inspector General Hattori will be joining me."
Cold sweat dripped from his forehead. A murder, during the Chairman's birthday celebration and in the presence of Commissioner Hakuba, was a disaster. Especially since the killer remained at large. The pressure was crushing.
Fujiwara Yoshitaka asked seriously, "Are you certain it's the same perpetrator?"
"Yes, Committee Chairman. The methods used are identical to the previous cases, and the details of those cases were never released to the media. It's impossible for someone to be copying them."
Yoshitaka nodded. "Then go. Do not let this drag on. The public cannot remain in fear."
"Yes, sir!"
The Kyoto Inspector General and Hattori Heizo responded in unison.
At this point, Commissioner Hakuba added, "Committee Chairman, since I'm in Kyoto as well, I'll personally take charge of the case and ensure the criminal is brought to justice."
As the highest authority in the police force, Commissioner Hakuba had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility and step in himself.
Yoshitaka gave his approval.
The Kyoto Inspector General almost collapsed from the pressure. Now that both the Chairman and the Commissioner were personally overseeing the case, failure would mean the end of his career.
Then, Sakai spoke coldly:
"If you still can't solve it, maybe our department should launch a formal investigation into the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for systemic corruption and dereliction of duty."
"I'm sure the public would be thrilled to know whether they've been funding a bunch of freeloaders with their tax money."
The words made all the police officials present grit their teeth in frustration.
But what he said wasn't wrong. Public dissatisfaction with the police was widespread, and if the Special Investigation Department launched a probe, it would likely gain overwhelming support.
They swallowed their anger and said nothing. This was Sakai's role—to oppose and challenge government officials. If he got too close with them, the Americans might have to replace him.
After briefly apologizing to the guests, the high-ranking police officers left in a hurry.
Hattori Heizo looked around and didn't see his son, Heiji.
He sighed. With Heiji's impulsive nature, he had probably already rushed to the crime scene.
Toru watched the officers leave, then turned to Haruno. "Tonight, you, your mother, and Yukino should return to Tokyo."
With this incident happening, even if he wasn't sure whether Conan was there, the presence of Hattori Heiji meant something serious was bound to follow.
There were just too many Conan episodes, and Toru hadn't watched them all. After so many years, he'd forgotten most of the plot details.
But he wasn't a detective. He had no interest in playing detective games.
Haruno nodded. "Yukino and I have school tomorrow anyway. We were planning to head back tonight."
"Fujiwara-kun, you're staying in Kyoto?"
"Yeah. I'll be here for another two days. Looks like I'll need to request some time off from school again."
"You've been taking too many days off lately. Even if Tokyo University turns a blind eye, if your exam scores aren't good enough, you'll have to retake the course."
"I just need to pass the exams."
Toru replied casually.
If it was just a written test, he had countless ways to pass. Besides, his grades were already top-tier.
Haruno didn't press the issue. She had said what she needed to. Pushing further would only make him annoyed.
"You three should leave Kyoto tonight. I don't have a good feeling about this place."
"You be careful too, Fujiwara-kun."
...
Hayasaka slipped back to Kaguya's side and whispered into her ear.
"Kaguya-sama, I heard it. Young Master Fujiwara made that girl over there call him 'Brother.'"
Kaguya's face remained calm and cool, as cold as moonlight. She simply nodded without reaction.
Hayasaka grew anxious. "Kaguya-sama, aren't you going to say anything?"
Kaguya thought for a moment. "Is there a problem, Hayasaka?"
"That girl's not even related to him by blood!"
"But Chika also calls him 'Brother,' right?"
"That's different. Fujiwara Chika is actually his sister. But I checked, that other girl is named Yukino Yukinoshita. No blood relation whatsoever!"
"Even if they're not related, isn't it okay to call each other Brother and Sister?"
Hayasaka slapped her forehead.
Kaguya flinched. "Hayasaka, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. My forehead just itched."
Hayasaka was screaming internally.
Kaguya-sama! Do I really have to teach you how to fall in love? You need to evolve, act more spoiled, learn how to use your feminine charm!
If this goes on, you're going to lose!
She held back her frustration and stayed composed.
"Kaguya-sama, Young Master Fujiwara also said Yukino is very cute."
That finally made Kaguya's expression shift. "Then maybe... something's not right."
Hayasaka nearly burst into tears with relief.
There's hope. Kaguya-sama isn't completely hopeless yet!
"Kaguya! I heard from Dad that you'll be staying over at my house tonight. Yay! We can share a futon again, like before!"
Chika suddenly ran up and hugged Kaguya tightly.
Then she hesitated. "But... since you're Brother's fiancée now, shouldn't you be sleeping with him?"
"Wow, sleeping together, hehehe~"
No one knew what she was imagining, but drool was dripping from the corner of her mouth.
"W-wait! Sleeping together?! Even if we're engaged, isn't that way too early?!"
Kaguya panicked. Her face turned red, and she began stammering.
Hayasaka was moved to the point of tears.
Even if she lacks common sense, at least Kaguya-sama has a woman's awareness. She knows not to sleep with a man casually.
"I-I heard that if you sleep with a man, you'll get pregnant. I'm not ready yet..."
Kaguya blushed and lowered her head.
Chika and Hayasaka were stunned into silence, both assuming she fully understood the implications.
In truth, Kaguya genuinely believed simply sharing a bed would result in pregnancy.
Chika grew more excited. She began explaining in a serious tone. "Well, there's a probability. But you can take protective measures..."
Kaguya's eyes widened. "Wait, Chika, don't tell me you have experience?"
"Huh?! No, no, don't say weird things! I don't have any experience!"
Chika frantically waved her hands.
Kaguya turned to Hayasaka.
Hayasaka raised her hand solemnly. "Kaguya-sama, you know me. I've been working at the Shinomiya house my whole life. I've never even had a chance to interact with men, let alone sleep with one."
Chika's eyes sparkled. "Wait! Hayasaka is your maid, right?"
"Yes. She's my maid."
Even though she thought of Hayasaka like a sister, she still answered officially.
Hayasaka groaned inwardly. Chika might actually not recognize her. She always dressed as a man when visiting the Shinomiya estate.
Chika got even more excited. "Kaguya! In ancient times, maids also had to serve their masters in bed!"
She was already fantasizing about something indecent.
"Fujiwara-san, that was ancient history! This is the 21st century!"
Hayasaka's voice trembled in disbelief.
"But our family is traditional. We still follow a lot of old customs."
Kaguya added, "The Shinomiya family is also traditional."
Hayasaka felt her brain snap.
I want to quit. I want out.
And Fujiwara Chika... what kind of crazy things are running through your head? Stop dragging Kaguya-sama into your nonsense!
...
Although a few incidents happened during the birthday banquet, it still ended without any major trouble or national-level cases.
"Fujiwara-kun."
Just as Toru was about to leave and rest before sightseeing with Kaguya the next day, a family approached him.
"Uncle Ōoka. Is something the matter?"
It was the Ōoka family. With them was Ōoka Momiji, standing with a dignified and composed air, like a proud swan.
But upon seeing Toru, she bowed gracefully.
"Fujiwara-kun, are you heading back to Tokyo today?"
"No, I'll stay in Kyoto for two more days."
Ōoka's face brightened. "Perfect. Since you haven't toured Kyoto before, how about letting my daughter accompany you tomorrow?"
Before Toru could answer, Momiji interrupted anxiously. "Father! I have a Karuta program recording at Nichibei TV tomorrow. I don't have time!"
Her refusal was obvious.
Ōoka frowned. "What's the point of playing Karuta? It's just a child's game."
Toru politely declined. "I'm sorry, Uncle Ōoka. I already promised to spend the day with Kaguya."
Ōoka's expression softened slightly. He turned back to Momiji. "I'm not saying you can't have hobbies, but Momiji, you need to think about your future too."
His tone seemed calm, but the warning was clear—if she didn't obey, her Karuta might be taken from her.
Momiji looked furious but had no power to defy him.
Then Ōoka turned back to Toru. "Momiji is around the same age as Kaguya. It's good for young people to get to know each other."
With a slightly stiff smile, Momiji added, "Fujiwara-kun, my recording ends tomorrow afternoon. Why don't you and Kaguya come to the station and find me? I can show you Kyoto's night view."
She didn't want to do this, but with her father's pressure, she had no choice.
Toru could tell that if he rejected again, her situation would worsen. Since she was a beautiful girl and a little sightseeing never hurt, he nodded. "Then, Miss Ōoka, shall we exchange contact info?"
"You can just call me Momiji."
"Alright, Miss Momiji."
Once they exchanged contacts, Ōoka was finally satisfied.
...
The next morning, Toru woke up early, jogged a few laps around the courtyard, freshened up, and went off to find his fiancée.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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