She is a beautiful woman, Conan thought.
She had long black hair and features that resembled Haibara's. She wore a skirt and blouse, dressed in an elegant, sophisticated style. Her gentle smile looked relaxed and serene.
Conan felt a strange sense of bewilderment and hesitated, unsure how to approach her.
Even so, he didn't believe Amuro was lying.
It was true that Amuro had shown cruelty by killing Pisco in cold blood, but keeping silent about Conan and Haibara was a flagrant violation of the Organization's orders. Nearly two weeks had passed since that incident, and both Conan and Haibara were still safe, with no threats against their lives from the Black Organization.
This fact alone was the strongest proof of his sincerity and the integrity of his stance.
He was also certain that Amuro's desire to build a good relationship with Ai Haibara was genuine.
Granted, Conan struggled to understand the mindset behind sending luxury "Fusae Brand" bags to a terrified Haibara, accompanied by a card reading: "This is the gift I promised you earlier. I hope you like it."
Yet, Conan knew that Amuro had seriously scrutinized the selection of designer bags at the Mikaiho Department Store beforehand. He had apparently even consulted Ran and Sonoko, who happened to be there, about the best style. This prompted Ran to ask with interest, "Is this a gift for your girlfriend?"
Conan would be lying if he said he didn't feel a tinge of sadness seeing a cold-blooded killer choose a gift with such care, as if lavishing affection on someone dear to him.
With the face of a gentle, peaceful young man, Amuro smiled at Conan.
"That is Ms. Akemi Miyano... Wait, what is that boy doing?"
"I'm just checking if that's Vermouth in disguise."
Conan rushed toward Akemi Miyano. When she bent down kindly to greet him, he pinched her cheek hard.
Shocked and bewildered, Akemi let Conan pinch her cheeks with all his might.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! That hurts! Toru-kun, what exactly is he doing!?"
After thoroughly pinching the confused Akemi, Conan finally exhaled and relaxed his grip.
It's not Vermouth in disguise.
"Heh heh... I'm sorry, Miss."
"Well... are you satisfied now? It isn't a disguise or anything of the sort. This is Shiho Miyano's sister, the real Akemi Miyano."
"......"
Conan glanced at his phone.
Should I call Haibara now?
Still crouched down, Akemi Miyano rubbed her sore cheeks and looked closely at Conan.
"Are you the one who helped Shiho?"
"No... I didn't really do anything..."
"I heard about it from Toru-kun. He said you shielded Shiho with your own body when Gin had her cornered."
Her smile was soft.
Even though Conan was just an elementary school student, Akemi Miyano bowed to him with genuine sincerity and respect.
"Thank you. Because of you, I'll be able to see my sister."
"...She's dying to see you too. I'll make the call now, just give me a second."
Seeing the look on her face, Conan made up his mind.
He checked the screen and dialed Haibara's smartphone.
The ringtone sounded quietly within the silent detective agency.
She must have been waiting by the phone, as she picked up immediately.
Her voice trembled with nervousness, yet it carried an unmistakable undertone of anticipation.
Haibara asked quickly, skipping any pleasantries.
"It isn't Vermouth in disguise, is it?"
"No. I wouldn't recognize Ms. Akemi's face myself, so I can't guarantee it's her personally, but she didn't seem to be wearing a disguise."
"Turn on the camera..."
"...Are you sure? Are you really ready for this?"
There was hope, undoubtedly, but also the tension of fearing that hope might be betrayed, compounded by the long despair she had lived with.
How much resolve had it taken for her to answer this call?
Hearing Haibara struggle to keep her voice from shaking, Conan asked her again.
"...Yes. I want to speak to my big sister."
"Alright then. I'm turning on the video."
Conan placed the phone on its stand and activated the camera.
The video call connected.
"Sister... is that you...?"
"Thank goodness you're safe, Shiho. Are you alright?"
The sisters' reunion appeared ordinary at first glance, yet it stirred something mysterious... as if small sparks were flying between them.
To prove the video wasn't a fabrication, Conan deliberately positioned himself in the corner of the frame.
"Is this... real? Are you really my sister?"
"Hmm. The last time I spoke to Shiho, we talked about the upcoming Christmas dinner. You always loved my cooking, didn't you?"
"!!!"
"I'm late, but I'm going to make your favorite dish this year. The roast pork you liked so much before—I'll use shio koji for it."
Shiho—Haibara—held her breath; the sharp intake of air was clearly audible over the phone.
Then, a long silence fell.
Did Haibara not know what to say, or did she have so much to say that the words choked in her throat?
Perhaps it was a storm of emotions—a feeling that belonged to both of them yet neither individually—that pierced Haibara's chest in that moment.
Her trembling voice, teetering on the edge of tears, reflected the sheer magnitude of the terror she had endured.
"...Why? That video was..."
"That video was just a fake. I worked on it with Tooru-kun. Our goal was to fool Gin. I was a bit nervous since it was my first time acting."
"Actiiiiing?"
"Exactly. We did well, didn't we? Though, most of the credit goes to Tooru-kun's flawless, realistic performance."
Her playful gesture, mimicking a flexed muscle, showcased Miyano Akemi's cheerful and spirited nature.
It was easy to imagine Haibara on the other end, her face scrunched up in tears.
Her strained voice trembled uncontrollably.
"Is this real? Is my big sister really alive...?"
"Yes, Shiho. I am alive," Miyano Akemi answered softly.
No one spoke.
Even the detective named Hiro remained leaning against the wall near the entrance, watching the scene unfold in silence.
Miyano Akemi addressed her sister with a gentle, clear voice.
"I'm home, Shiho. I'm sorry I took so long."
"Sister... Sister!!!"
And then, finally.
Haibara Ai burst into loud sobs as the dam holding back her tears collapsed.
This was the girl who used to call her sister's apartment every night just to hear the answering machine recording of Miyano Akemi's voice.
This girl, who loved her sister so deeply, had finally been reunited with her only family.
Conan couldn't see the heavy tears now soaking her face.
But he was certain that Professor Agasa was standing right beside her, patting her back, feeling utterly flustered by her weeping.
Amuro Tooru—or rather, "Bourbon"—appeared in Conan's field of vision. He was smiling, his profile looking relieved and at peace.
Conan lowered his voice, whispering to Bourbon so as not to interrupt the sisters' reunion.
"...I was wrong to doubt you."
"Hmm? What makes you say that all of a sudden?"
Bourbon looked at him with an innocent, surprised expression that made him appear much younger than his actual age.
Conan recalled a time when Bourbon had gotten angry with him, saying, "I am twenty-nine years old! I really dislike being treated like a minor—it actually annoys me!"
"Because I doubted that you were Akemi-san's childhood friend, and I dismissed the idea that you would risk your life to help her."
"That... wouldn't you consider that a natural and necessary caution given your position?"
"Even so. You saved Akemi-san, and you saved Haibara. That is something I couldn't do."
There was no doubt that Bourbon was a killer.
He was also a criminal and a high-ranking member of the Black Organization.
And yet.
He could not be described as purely evil, nor could he be considered a true enemy.
Conan felt he finally understood: this was a man who truly knew the meaning of love and kindness.