Leisurely, all Hayashi Yoshiki could see was the white ceiling.
The scent of disinfectant lingered in the air.His chest felt tight. His whole body ached, and his sore right hand felt unusually heavy—probably because it had been immobilized.
Still, Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't concerned.He already knew this was going to happen.
"Brother Yoshiki, you're awake!"
Ran, who had been standing nearby, noticed his eyes open and stepped forward with relief.
Yoshiki, freshly conscious, looked groggy.He stared blankly at Ran's face.
Such a pretty face, he thought, filled with the innocence of a high school girl.But she looked tired, as though she hadn't rested properly.
He continued staring.
"...Excuse me, who are you?"
He looked at her blankly.
In an instant, Ran's face turned pale. She panicked, pointing at herself and opening her mouth to speak—but then she saw him give a faint smile.
"Did you fall for it?"
"...Brother Yoshiki!"
"Sorry."His voice was soft and slow, weakened by injury."You looked so drained... I couldn't help but tease you."
"You call that a joke!?"There was a scolding tone in her voice.
But she let out a breath of relief and sat down, placing a hand over her heart.
Yoshiki continued to smile faintly.
"...Where are Uncle Mouri and the others?"
"Dad went back to the hotel to grab our things. He's moving here. Conan and Heiji went out to get breakfast."
Yoshiki nodded."Sorry... I caused so much trouble. I was supposed to return to Mihua in a few days, wasn't I?"
"What are you saying, Brother Yoshiki?"
Her slim, willow-like brows furrowed in genuine concern.
"Why would you say something like that?"
"Talking about causing us trouble... It was me who's caused you more trouble. You even saved me during that dangerous moment. And I even forgot you don't like cake...""You always think about others, never about yourself."
"As someone who's always been looked after by you, I won't be happy just being protected. I want to be able to do something for you too, Yoshiki."
She looked at him earnestly.
Yoshiki met her eyes, then smiled gently."The sun's really nice today."
His gaze was soft, unusually gentle, almost dreamlike. Ran was momentarily confused.
It really was a beautiful day.The sunlight poured in through the window, casting a golden glow over her long, smooth black hair. She looked stunning—her simple, innocent beauty glowing softly in the light. Anyone would be captivated.
But the moment passed as Conan and Hattori Heiji returned.
Seeing Yoshiki awake, they hurried to his side.
Ran briefly wondered whether he'd pretend to have amnesia with them too.
He simply smiled and said he was fine.
"So… that incident last night—what do you think?" Hattori Heiji asked, eyes sharp.
—He and Conan had wanted to visit the scene last night but had been stopped by Heiji's father, Hattori Heizo.
"Nothing much. Just an accident," Yoshiki replied with a soft smile.
"Don't give me that!" Heiji snapped. "There's definitely something fishy about this—!"
Not just because of what Yoshiki said before he fainted, but even Heizo showing up and stopping them from investigating... It was all too suspicious.
"Hattori-kun, Brother Yoshiki needs to rest!" Ran interrupted.
He exchanged a glance with Conan.
Just then, Hattori Heizo entered the ward.
The Osaka Police Chief narrowed his eyes. Without even glancing at his son, he said:"Heiji. You and the boy—step out for a while."
Heiji, surprisingly, obeyed.
He left with Conan, motioning silently to Ran, who followed them out with a worried look.
"Close the door," Heizo added.Heiji frowned—he'd been planning to leave a crack open to eavesdrop.
But once they were outside, they found someone else standing near the door—Toyama Ginjiro, Kazuha's father.
"Forget it. I'm watching you," Ginjiro said, arms crossed."Don't even think about eavesdropping."
Back inside the room, Heizo walked up to the bedside and looked down at Hayashi Yoshiki.
"How do you feel, Mr. Hayashi?"
"I'll be fine after some rest."
"That's good."Heizo opened his narrowed eyes, revealing a piercing gaze."Was it him again?"
"Yes. There's no mistake. It was him..."
Despite his pain, Yoshiki tried to sit up—but Heizo pressed him back gently.
"No. The doctor said you're staying in bed."
"...I never told anyone I was coming to Osaka."
Heizo understood immediately.
Yoshiki had come quietly, yet someone still found him.
—The "accident" had originated in Osaka, which meant the Tokyo task force had involved Osaka officers. As Chief of the Osaka Prefectural Police, Heizo had been watching the case closely.
He also knew Yoshiki was serving as a consultant on the case.
"We're tracking all of Ed Michael's movements and investigating the car he drove. So far, nothing suspicious has come up."
"Was this a message? A warning? Or just a coincidence?"
"I don't think it's a coincidence," Hayashi Yoshiki replied firmly.Then, without missing a beat, he added:"Could you call Inspector Odagiri for me?"
Hattori Heizo picked up his phone without hesitation.