A few days passed in the blink of an eye.
Following the death of Congressman Oki Iwamatsu, the Metropolitan Police Department announced that renowned game designer Hara Yoshiaki had been murdered.
Just like in the case of Oki Iwamatsu, a small wine glass was found beside Yoshiaki Hara's body.
"According to the autopsy report, Hara Yoshiaki died between 5 and 6 PM yesterday evening. In addition, all the data on his computer had been deleted."
Since the congressman's death remained unresolved, and with this new case involving Hara Yoshiaki, Inspector Megure Jūzō once again contacted Hayashi Yoshiki by phone.
Hayashi: "Computer data?"
"What about Mr. Hosui? Where was he when Hara Yoshiaki died was killed?"
Megure: "Yoshiki-kun, are you doubting Kisaragi Hosui?"
"You're mistaken. Kisaragi-san is innocent. Conan and the Detective Boys were in his studio at the time of Hara Yoshiaki's death."
Hayashi: "...I see. Understood."
Hayashi exchanged a few more words with Megure before ending the call.
Yoshiaki Hara had been killed by Gin.
Just after sending Conan and the others away, Kisaragi Hosui had rushed back to Hara's house to carry out the murder. However, upon arrival, he discovered the body already there. He left a small wine glass to imitate the previous killing and quietly left.
Hayashi did not involve himself in the matter for the time being. The next day, he drove to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Ran: "Ah, Yoshiki-nii!"
"Did you really change your hairstyle?"
Ran and Sonoko had been waiting downstairs and were both surprised at his new appearance.
Hayashi: "How is it? Does it suit me?"He asked with a gentle smile.
Ran: "...It suits you."She nodded, smiling.
"But you look a little different from the Yoshiki-nii I'm used to. It's a bit hard to get used to."
Sonoko: "But it's super handsome!"She beamed.
Hayashi: "Then I'm relieved."
Hayashi glanced to the side.Through the reflection in the car window, he saw his newly slicked-back hair. He had also changed into a formal suit, given the significance of the evening.
Hayashi: "Let's go. If we leave now, we'll get to Twin Tower just in time."
Since Professor Agasa was driving Conan, the rest of the group set off together—same as last time.
Upon arrival at the Twin Tower Skyscraper, they handed in their invitations and took the elevator directly to the 75th-floor banquet hall.
The venue was already crowded with guests.
Because of Hayashi's drastically changed appearance, many were surprised at first. Still, some of his fans recognized him and eagerly came up to ask for autographs.
Ayumi (whispering to Haibara): "Yoshiki-san looks so different today..."
Thinking back to how Hayashi had "teased" her at the cinema a few days earlier, Haibara's face tensed slightly.
At that moment, Tokiwa Mio stepped forward and took the microphone.
Tokiwa: "Thank you all for attending today's opening ceremony of the Tokiwa Group's Twin Towers. Before we begin, let's play a little game! As you can see, there's a convertible sports car on stage. Whoever wins the next challenge can drive it home!"
The game involved silently counting to 30 seconds. Whoever was the most accurate would win.
Uninterested, Hayashi found an empty seat and took a phone call.
Caller: "Hey, why's it so noisy over there?"
Hayashi: "I'm at the Twin Towers in Nishitama City. It's the opening ceremony."
Caller (Hakuba Saguru): "Oh, that building constructed thanks to a corrupt councillor's backroom deals?"
After a short sigh, Hakuba continued seriously.
Hakuba: "I told my father about your deduction the other night. The task force agreed with your theory. I also mentioned bringing you onto the team."
Hayashi: "And the result?"
Hakuba: "It's under discussion. But here's the good news—I got a few more videos. I'll show them to you later. Also..."
Hakuba: "There was another incident recently. A suspected accidental homicide. But the 'accident' didn't actually kill anyone."
Hayashi (with a smile): "Really? What about the survivor? Have they been taken in for questioning?"
Hakuba: "Yes, but I don't know what came of it yet. Anyway, I'll stop bothering you now. Let's meet when you're free."
Hayashi: "Alright. See you later."
He ended the call and looked up—the mini-game was already underway.
Just as he was about to watch, his other phone buzzed with a text message.
Gin: "Behave yourself for the time being. The police have noticed someone's manipulating accidental deaths."
Cointreau (Hayashi): "Didn't we form a special task force with them too?"
A black Porsche 365A tore down the highway.
Gin, seated in the passenger seat, glanced at Hayashi's reply. A rare flicker of surprise crossed his normally blank face.
The Public Security Bureau's operation had been conducted in extreme secrecy.The organization had only caught wind of it because Vermouth, who had "survived the accident," was investigated—and suspicions had been raised.
Cointreau had known all along?
Cointreau: "I was planning to join them."
Gin stared at the screen in silence.
Was this black humor? A killer joining the task force investigating his own crimes? It was like letting a wolf guard a sheep pen.
Gin had merely hoped Hayashi would lie low—but instead, he had gone and stirred more trouble.
Had he intentionally caused the "accident" so that Vermouth would survive and trigger the formation of the task force?
Gin remembered Hayashi's ever-smiling face from their first meeting—a smile that always hinted at secret machinations.
Maybe even becoming a detective had been part of a long-term plan.
Gin: "Oh..."He grinned darkly.
Vodka, still oblivious, drove in silence.
If the subordinate he personally recruited was capable of such elaborate schemes, he—Gin, the boss—couldn't afford to fall behind.
Yoshiaki Hara was already dead. But if he had used Tokiwa Group's servers to steal information from the organization, then every trace needed to be erased.
The server must be destroyed—with a bomb.