Ran was deeply moved by Hayashi Yoshiki.
Beyond his looks, he was also very gentle…
Maybe others hadn't noticed, but Ran could feel it. The concern and guilt in his eyes when he looked at her were unmistakably real.
That person… he must be very important to me, right?
Yet, he hadn't appeared in the photo album.
"Well, we didn't know Yoshiki until later," Sonoko replied brightly.
"You didn't know him?"
"Yeah! We first met him at one of his book signings. Then suddenly, he announced that he was your brother or something—it was such a shock!"
"I'm sorry… I really don't remember."
"Why do you keep apologizing? No one's asking you to remember right now."
"That's right, Sister Ran," Conan added."Just take your time. There's no need to stress."
Faced with their caring expressions, Ran pursed her lips and nodded slightly.
A few moments later, Kisaki Eri entered the room.
"What's with all the excitement in here?"
She chuckled, then nodded to Dr. Agasa.
"Thank you for coming, Dr. Agasa."
"Ah, it's been a while, Eri."
"Are you feeling better, Ran?"
"If you need a break, just say the word."
Smiling, Eri placed a photo album into Ran's hands.
Curious, Ran began flipping through it.
The contents were nearly identical to the album Kogorō Mōri had brought—though a few new photos were scattered throughout. Browsing them seemed to calm her, and her body gradually relaxed.
Seeing her composed , both Kogorō and Eri felt a bit relieved.
Turning to one particular page, Ran spotted a photo of a lone boy.
Sonoko leaned closer, eyes going wide.
"That… is Brother Yoshiki!?"
"Oh my God! So cute—no way, is this real?!"
Sonoko's gasp drew everyone in.
Haibara Ai moved closer. Ayumi followed. Even Conan leaned in, unable to resist.
The photo showed a black-haired boy around Ayumi's age, with delicate, porcelain-like features—his expression calm and quiet.
Soft ceiling lights bathed him in warmth, making his fair skin seem nearly translucent.
He looked like something out of a fairy tale.
"So this is what Yoshiki looked like as a kid?"
"Yes," Eri said with a fond smile."He's always been cute. But he's not your usual lively kid—he's always been a quiet one."
Ran couldn't help but flip the page.
There were more photos of Hayashi Yoshiki—each one showing him gradually growing older.
Sonoko clutched her phone tightly.
There were too many people around. She didn't dare ask for copies, nor was she brave enough to sneak a photo herself.
"He really has always looked delicate and calm…" Kogorō Mōri mused, rubbing his chin."Quite a lot, actually."
Eri opened her mouth to explain, but stopped herself.
She'd first seen these photos while helping sort through Yoshiki's late parents' belongings. Out of love—and a desire to offer him some semblance of family—she had added his photos to Ran's album.
But there was no need to say all that now.
"Isn't this… a bad boy?"
It was a high school photo of Yoshiki.
In it, he wore a crisp uniform, walking up front with a book in one hand and a bag in the other. A group of scruffy delinquents followed behind—yet their eyes were all fixed on him.
"Looks like Yoshiki ran with a rough crowd in high school," Eri said with a bitter smile.
"I know this!" Sonoko jumped in excitedly."Sayuri-sensei mentioned it at her wedding, remember? Conan, you heard it too!"
Sayuri Matsumoto had revealed that when Yoshiki was in high school, he'd defeated every gang in the area and became their de facto leader.
Eri blinked, stunned.
"I do recall her mother telling me something... Like, when Yoshiki was in his first year, some delinquents had arranged a school fight, but he skipped it to practice piano."
She tapped her chin, thoughtful.
"The police ended up arresting both sides because someone in the neighborhood called it in, right?"
"So Brother Yoshiki plays piano too?"
*Ayumi clasped her hands, eyes sparkling.
"He beat up bad guys…?" Genta Kojima turned to Mitsuhiko, eyes wide."So cool! Let's become gang leaders when we get to high school!"
"Study hard, you moron!"
Kogorō Mōri thwacked Genta on the head.
Genta clutched his scalp in pain, while Mōri rubbed his own fingers in disbelief.
Why is this kid's head harder than Conan's?
Dr. Agasa quickly pulled Genta aside and crouched to scold him gently.
"Are there more photos after this?"
Haibara Ai asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
She hadn't expected to learn so much about Yoshiki today.
Yet what she truly wondered… was when he was targeted—and recruited—by the Organization.
Ran continued turning pages.
Though more photos followed, none seemed unusual to Haibara.
Watching this girl who, like her, had escaped the Organization and now lived in a child's body... Watching how she stared intently at Yoshiki's photos… Conan closed his eyes briefly.
Just what are you looking for, Ai?
"How are you feeling, Ran?"
"Would you like to go home, or stay at the hospital a while longer? Either is okay—we'll stay here with you if needed."
Kisaki Eri looked at her daughter with tender eyes.
Ran gave a small smile, lips slightly pursed.
Even though her memories hadn't returned, the photo album had shown her enough. There was no fear in her heart about returning home.
Kogorō Mōri and Kisaki Eri exchanged a glance—both visibly relieved.