The "date" with Vermouth had ended on an unpleasant note.
Yet when Hayashi Yoshiki returned to his car, he was smiling.
He hadn't expected things to go this smoothly.
He had long known that Vermouth would be problematic. Her affection for Mōri Ran ran so deep that the moment she discovered a fellow Organization member circling her beloved "white moonlight," she would become defensive—perhaps even hostile.
Unless, of course, Hayashi Yoshiki made it appear that he stood on the same side as Vermouth—that he, too, wanted to protect Ran.
Just like the silent pact between Bourbon and Vermouth: in exchange for Bourbon guarding her secret, she agreed never to harm Conan or Ran.
But Hayashi had the advantage of "not knowing" about Vermouth's attachment to Ran. All he needed to do now was show his own protectiveness toward her—and that would be enough to manipulate the situation.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Gin.
"What is it?" Gin's cold voice came through.
"Just finished meeting Vermouth. She confirmed Rum wants to recruit me."
"…"There was a pause. Gin's tone, though ever icy, now carried a faint note of satisfaction.
"If there's nothing else—"
"Actually... can I teach that woman a lesson?"
"Let's just say she annoyed me. Don't worry—I won't kill her."
Gin's interest was piqued.
He'd been fed up with Vermouth for quite some time. Watching her get knocked down a peg sounded entertaining—especially when requested by Cointreau, the one man who had just refused Rum without hesitation.
For context, in the original timeline, Gin was ready to blow up an entire train just to kill Sherry, even though both Vermouth and Bourbon were on board. Collateral damage meant nothing to him. If they died, they were simply weak and unlucky.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Just keep tabs on her. Let me know her movements."
A bold request—to have the action team monitor a member of the intelligence team.
But Gin didn't question it. He simply agreed and hung up.
How smooth... Hayashi mused.
If Gin had refused, he would have been forced to cause a little chaos instead.
Before Gin's intel arrived, a strange invitation letter arrived at Hayashi's office.
"Found this in my inbox this morning."Amuro Tōru placed a black envelope on the desk.
No sender. No stamp.Inside it was a check for $2 million.
The envelope bore the name "Kiyoshi Hayashi" in white script—a stark contrast against the black, reminiscent of Japanese funeral customs.
The name rang a bell.
Hayashi opened the letter and read:
"I admire your wisdom, so I am writing to invite you to dinner and drinks at your home.""—The Vision of God's Forsaken Son""—Twilight Annex"
The moment he read the name Twilight Annex, recognition struck.
Twilight Villa—once owned by Karasuma Renya, the elusive leader of the Black Organization.
The building was rumored to be made entirely of solid gold—a structure of unfathomable value.
"Two million dollars just to invite you to dinner? That reeks of suspicion."Amuro frowned. "They're clearly expecting something in return."
"Still, are you planning to go? This letter doesn't exactly scream 'good omen'."
Before the larger conspiracy involving the Twilight Annex unfolded in canon, it had long been a secretive thread. A place tied deeply to Karasuma and his unseen network—there were likely truths there still unrevealed.
"Besides, the check can't be returned—there's no stamp or sender."
Amuro turned the invitation over again.
"This line—'The Vision of God's Forsaken Son'—is from the New Testament. It refers to the scapegoat, or the 'kid' in English."
The implication was clear.
"Are you saying this has something to do with Kaitō Kid?"
"Unlikely. Probably just someone borrowing the name to stir things up."
Hayashi chuckled and looked at Amuro.
"You're free these next few days, aren't you?"
"Then we leave for the Twilight Villa tomorrow."
Amuro, surprisingly, was pleased.
For reasons he couldn't fully explain, the letter made him uneasy. But if Hayashi was going, he wanted to be there too—to protect him, should things go wrong.
Not to mention, Amuro still hoped to recruit him into the Public Security Bureau someday.
"Can you pick me up tomorrow? Use my car."
"Of course. But... aren't you driving home tonight?"
"No. I've got an appointment—someone's picking me up."
Hayashi lingered in the office for a while longer. Then he left upon receiving a message.
As Amuro Tōru cleared the tea cups, he noticed a striking red car pulling up outside.
Who's this now?Another woman?
He watched Hayashi step into the car with a sense of helpless amusement.
"Romantic as ever..."
"You're fifteen minutes early. So eager?"
"I couldn't wait, Mr. Hayashi~"
The voice was sultry, oozing flirtation.
Reiko Shimizu was behind the wheel, clearly dressed for more than dinner.
The night road was quiet. Few pedestrians. Few cars.
One hand on the wheel, she used the other to unbutton her coat, revealing a scandalously sensual ensemble beneath—white lingerie and garter stockings clinging to her shapely figure.
Hayashi glanced at her, amused.
Reiko pouted playfully.
He's dangerous... but intoxicating.
"How did you wrap up the last mission?"
"Flawlessly. No loose ends."
"I expected nothing less. You never disappoint me, Reiko."He read a new message on his phone and smiled. "I trust you completely."
Just hearing those words made Reiko's breath catch. Her heart fluttered.
She shifted subtly in her seat, thighs pressing together, overwhelmed by a mixture of admiration and infatuation.
Tonight... she was already lost to him.