The operation to reunite Akemi and Shiho Miyano was a complete success.
I did it! Mission accomplished!!
Internally, I pictured Mr. Furuya and me celebrating like raucous partygoers—arms slung around shoulders, exchanging enthusiastic high-fives in jubilation over the Miyano sisters' reunion.
Since that meeting, they seem to be making up for lost time without issue. They speak frequently using the untraceable devices we provided, and have even scheduled face-to-face meetings.
From this point forward, "Kazami" (Furuya's subordinate in the Public Security Bureau) will take the lead on security. I haven't yet told Conan that I'm with Public Security... though the need to disclose that may arise in the future. It wouldn't hurt to have him communicate with Kazami as a prelude to that revelation.
Additionally, Ms. Haibara's psychological trauma appears to have eased slightly. True, she is still clearly frightened when I approach, but she has stopped running away and has even begun to speak to me.
Watching her shrink back, speaking with extreme terseness—「The bag... Thank you」—was deeply moving for us.
She looked like a small animal creeping closer in fear, eyeing me with a mix of dread and hesitation.
What an internal rush of excitement we felt in that moment!
Overcome with excitement, we conjured up a glittering, high-end "champagne tower" deep in our subconscious—the kind you'd see at an exclusive host club.
Incidentally, I took the role of the "No. 1 Host," while Mr. Furuya launched into an impromptu skit, playing the part of a big-spending female client.
The champagne tower was even perfectly illuminated.
For some reason, Mr. Furuya's impersonation of a "big spender" was terrifyingly accurate. He twirled his bangs around his finger and asked in an affected voice: 「Tell me, Tooru-kun, how many children do you want...?」
We burst out laughing.
Quit the sneak attacks; my sides are splitting!!!
Yet the moment that thought crossed my mind, he suddenly launched into a segment titled: 「A Collection of Quotes from Terrifying Women I've Actually Met~」 complete with festive sound effects. The laughter was quickly replaced by fear.
Being a handsome guy is a tough gig...
Poor Mr. Furuya... He really shouldn't be reciting that kind of material with such a deadpan face.
What a mix of internal emotions we felt, sharing champagne from that tower amidst a strange, gloomy atmosphere. It was imaginary alcohol that couldn't get us drunk, but the mood demanded we drink, even if only in spirit.
And so, we spent our cheerful days.
Recently, I've been actively helping look after the "Detective Boys." Since I have far more stamina than Dr. Agasa, I've been making time to join them on camping trips or just to play.
Being a professional detective, the kids were always eager to hear my stories.
Conan watched me sternly from behind, ensuring I didn't drift into gory topics.
Honestly, I think it's fine; they're bound to stumble across corpses at their travel destinations anyway.
What? Was he worried I'd start explaining how to assassinate people?
...I certainly wouldn't say something like that to children.
Besides, I specialize in direct combat; I'm not particularly skilled at assassination.
When I offered this rebuttal (to Conan), he glared at me even harder.
Amidst all this, today arrived.
Today, I am scheduled to accompany the Detective Boys to the aviation museum, serving as a chaperone alongside Dr. Agasa.
Ms. Haibara came with us as well.
She seems to be on somewhat good terms with Ayumi-chan; they were sitting side by side, with Ayumi chatting away to her about something.
The expression on Haibara's face as she listened to the children was gentle.
Well, it seems Dr. Agasa is late. He probably overslept.
At the waiting area, there was an old arcade machine installed. Ayumi-chan hopped onto it to kill time.
It was a Tarot fortune-telling machine that looked ancient. The result popped up: 「Prediction A」.
I realized it immediately.
Ah, this is the second movie, The Fourteenth Target!
I couldn't recall exactly what "Prediction A" meant, but when I asked Mr. Furuya (internally), he answered simply: 「It means a kiss」. Seriously, what era is this machine from?
The Fourteenth Target is the one where the culprit is a sommelier who lost his sense of taste due to an accident.
Although it is an older entry, the fundamentals of the series had already crystallized within it: the marine entertainment facility "Aqua Crystal" explodes spectacularly, and the turbo-engine skateboard plays a pivotal role in the action.
The plot itself is a mystery and deduction story modeled after Agatha Christie's The A.B.C. Murders.
If memory serves, this movie also includes a flashback scene explaining why Detective Mouri resigned from the police force.
Moving freely will be difficult with police officers present throughout the case, but the Aqua Crystal facility is guaranteed to blow up in the end.
With my physical abilities, I should be able to offer at least some assistance during that catastrophe.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking that things are about to get busy again."
I gave a vague answer to Conan, who looked suspicious.
I couldn't speak about it, after all, since it involved direct knowledge of the original storyline.
Conan avoided pressing the issue despite his doubts, casting a distant gaze over the Detective Boys.
"Speaking of which, can you fly planes and the like?"
"I know the general basics. Naturally, I've never touched a massive passenger jet, but I have flown a Cessna light aircraft before. I've also handled quite a few vintage planes."
"Heh. So the Organization uses things like that, too."
"The ones who use them are mostly... Well, never mind. Yes."
"No, tell me. I'm curious."
"Gin is unexpectedly lazy, so he often makes me fly a Cessna to get him to a location."
"Eh, seriously? Do you work as Gin's errand boy for missions?"
Conan made a disgusted face and went, "Ugh."
How rude. Working as Gin's lackey provides access to plenty of Black Organization intel; it's actually a prime position for a spy.
In reality, it's Lupin's gang that uses vintage aircraft extensively, but there's no need to mention that right now.
The truth will eventually come out in the future anyway.
As we nonchalantly engaged in this trivial discussion about the Black Organization in broad daylight, Ms. Haibara shot me a sharp glare.
I exchanged a quick glance with Conan, and we fell silent.
I really don't want Ms. Haibara to be angry with me.
I'll shut up immediately. Immediately.
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